What is Linden Flowers, Extract?
Linden Flowers Extract is derived from the flowers of trees belonging to the Tilia genus, commonly known as linden, lime, or basswood trees. The extract is obtained through various extraction methods and contains the volatile and non-volatile flavor compounds naturally present in linden flowers. CAS Number 84929-52-2 identifies this specific ingredient in chemical databases. As a botanical flavoring agent, it represents one of many plant-derived flavor components used in the food industry to achieve desired taste profiles without synthetic chemicals.
Common Uses
Linden flowers extract is employed primarily as a flavoring agent in the food and beverage industry. Its applications include:
- Herbal tea formulations and tea blends
- Flavored beverages and cordials
- Confectionery and candy products
- Baked goods and desserts
- Liqueurs and alcoholic beverages
- Flavor compounds for functional foods
The extract is typically used in very small quantities, as flavoring agents are potent and only minute amounts are necessary to achieve the desired flavor effect. Linden flowers are traditionally associated with a delicate, mildly sweet, and floral taste profile.
Safety Assessment
Linden flowers have a long history of use in traditional herbal preparations, particularly in European cuisines and folk medicine. The extract has generated zero adverse event reports in the FDA database and has not been subject to any FDA recalls, indicating no documented safety concerns at the levels used in food applications.
Toxicological data on linden flower extracts is limited in peer-reviewed scientific literature, though the plant material itself has been consumed for centuries without reported widespread harm. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and various European regulatory bodies recognize linden flowers in food applications with established safety margins.
As with all botanical extracts, individual sensitivity is possible, though reported cases are rare. The lack of adverse event data combined with historical use patterns suggests a favorable safety profile when used as intended in food flavoring applications.
Regulatory Status
Linden Flowers Extract does not currently hold FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status in the United States. This designation does not indicate a safety concern; rather, it reflects that a formal GRAS determination has not been sought or completed by manufacturers or the FDA. Many botanical flavoring ingredients function in the market without explicit GRAS status under traditional flavoring use provisions.
In the European Union, linden flowers are permitted for use in food flavoring under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008, which establishes the list of flavorings allowed in foods. This regulatory approval is based on safety assessments of the ingredient at intended use levels.
The ingredient appears in various international food additive databases and is recognized as acceptable in food applications in multiple countries.
Key Studies
Scientific literature specifically examining linden flower extract safety in food applications is sparse. Most research focuses on traditional herbal uses and ethnobotanical applications rather than food additive safety. Historical consumption data from European regions where linden flowers are traditionally used in teas and beverages provides observational evidence of safety at typical exposure levels.
Chemical composition studies have identified flavonoids, volatile oils, and other compounds in linden flowers that contribute to its sensory properties. These compounds are not associated with toxicological concerns at the levels present in food flavoring applications.
The absence of adverse event reports, combined with regulatory acceptance in multiple jurisdictions and historical use, suggests current evidence does not raise safety flags for use as a flavoring agent.