What is Mixture Of 3,6-diethyl-1,2,4,5-tetrathiane And 3,5-diethyl-1,2,4-trithiolane?
This additive is a proprietary mixture containing two related organosulfur compounds. Both components belong to the polysulfide and trithiolane chemical families, which are characterized by multiple sulfur atoms in their molecular structure. These compounds are designed to function as flavoring agents, leveraging the sensory properties that sulfur-containing molecules contribute to food taste profiles.
The specific CAS number 977187-62-4 identifies this particular mixture formulation. Organosulfur compounds are common in natural foods—sulfur-containing molecules are responsible for characteristic flavors in foods like onions, garlic, and cooked meats. Synthetic versions are created to replicate or enhance these flavor characteristics in processed foods.
Common Uses
This flavoring mixture is used in processed food applications where meaty, savory, or cooked notes are desired. Typical applications include:
- Meat and poultry flavoring systems
- Soup and broth products
- Savory snack seasonings
- Processed meat products
- Gravy and sauce formulations
- Pet food flavoring
The specific sensory contribution of this mixture—the combination of both compounds—is designed to provide complexity to overall flavor profiles in food formulations. Flavoring agents like this are typically used at very low concentrations, measured in parts per million (ppm).
Safety Assessment
According to FDA records, there have been zero reported adverse events associated with this additive and zero product recalls involving this specific flavoring mixture. This absence of reported incidents suggests no identified safety concerns in U.S. food supply monitoring systems.
However, it is important to note that this additive does not have FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. GRAS status requires either substantial history of safe use in food or approval through FDA's GRAS notification process. The lack of GRAS designation indicates either that the compound has not undergone this formal recognition process or that a manufacturer has not submitted it for such review.
The absence of GRAS status does not necessarily indicate a safety concern—it may reflect limited market use, recent introduction, or lack of formal submission. Organosulfur compounds as a chemical class are generally recognized as having a long history of safe consumption in foods.
Like all food additives, this mixture would only be used in food products that comply with FDA regulations for approved flavoring agents, which include safety requirements.
Regulatory Status
In the United States, this additive is not listed as a GRAS substance. Its regulatory pathway and current approval status would depend on whether it is regulated under FDA's flavor additive provisions or has been approved through other regulatory mechanisms.
The FDA maintains the Everything Added to Food in the United States (EAFUS) database, which lists substances approved for use in food. Individual manufacturers using this flavoring mixture would be responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable FDA regulations.
International regulatory status may differ; various countries maintain different approval lists for flavoring agents based on their own safety review processes.
Key Studies
Published toxicological data specifically on this mixture formulation is limited in the public scientific literature. Safety assessment of similar organosulfur flavor compounds has generally found them to have favorable safety profiles, though individual compounds require individual evaluation.
Any formal safety studies on this specific mixture would likely have been conducted by the manufacturer as part of regulatory submissions or internal safety assessments, but such data may be proprietary.
Research on structurally related polysulfide and trithiolane compounds suggests these chemical classes are metabolized and eliminated without bioaccumulation, though specific pharmacokinetic data for this mixture would be needed for comprehensive assessment.