What is (+/-)-cis- And Trans-1,2-dihydroperillaldehyde?

(+/-)-cis- And Trans-1,2-dihydroperillaldehyde is a chemical compound classified as an aldehyde, with the CAS Number 137886-38-5. The name indicates that it is a derivative of perillaldehyde, with a 'dihydro' modification, suggesting the addition of hydrogen atoms, and it exists as a mixture of 'cis-' and 'trans-' stereoisomers. Perillaldehyde itself is a naturally occurring compound found in plants like perilla, known for its strong aromatic properties, often described as minty, herbaceous, or camphoraceous. The 'dihydro' modification likely influences the exact aroma and flavor profile of this specific compound. As a synthetic flavoring agent, it is manufactured for specific applications in the food industry to achieve desired taste and aroma characteristics that may mimic or enhance natural flavors.

Common Uses

As a flavoring agent or adjuvant, (+/-)-cis- And Trans-1,2-dihydroperillaldehyde is intended for use in food products to contribute to their sensory appeal. Flavoring agents are crucial components in processed foods, confectionery, beverages, and other prepared items, where they are used to restore flavors lost during processing, create novel flavor profiles, or enhance existing ones. While specific applications are often proprietary, its chemical structure suggests it could contribute to fresh, green, citrus, or minty notes, similar to other aldehydes in the flavor palette. Flavor adjuvants, by definition, enhance or modify the taste of other food components without necessarily contributing a primary flavor of their own, suggesting it could also be used in conjunction with other flavorings to achieve complex profiles. Its inclusion in a food product would be at very low concentrations, typical for high-impact aroma chemicals.

Safety Assessment

Comprehensive safety assessments for food additives typically involve toxicological studies to determine potential adverse effects at various exposure levels. For (+/-)-cis- And Trans-1,2-dihydroperillaldehyde, its status with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that it is 'Not GRAS' (Generally Recognized As Safe). This means that, as of available information, the ingredient has not undergone the formal GRAS notification process, nor has it been affirmed as GRAS by the FDA based on scientific procedures or through common use in food prior to 1958. It is important to note that a 'Not GRAS' status does not automatically imply that a substance is unsafe; rather, it indicates that it has not met the specific criteria for GRAS recognition or has not pursued this particular regulatory pathway. The FDA's database for adverse events shows 0 reported incidents related to this compound, and there are 0 recalls associated with it. This lack of reported adverse events or recalls could be due to limited use, proprietary nature of its application, or indeed, a lack of significant safety concerns at typical usage levels. However, without a formal public safety review by regulatory bodies, a definitive safety conclusion cannot be drawn. In general, flavoring substances are evaluated based on their chemical structure, metabolic pathways, and results from various toxicity studies, including acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity, genotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity, to ensure they are safe for their intended use and consumption levels.

Regulatory Status

In the United States, the regulatory status of (+/-)-cis- And Trans-1,2-dihydroperillaldehyde is characterized by its 'Not GRAS' designation by the FDA. This indicates that it cannot be marketed as a GRAS substance based on either scientific procedures or historical use. For a food additive or flavoring agent that is not GRAS, its use in food would typically require pre-market approval through a Food Additive Petition (FAP) submitted to the FDA, demonstrating its safety for specific intended uses. If such a petition has been approved, the substance would be listed in the Code of Federal Regulations. The absence of a GRAS affirmation or a specific listing in the FAP regulations suggests its potential use could be limited or might be subject to ongoing evaluation. Outside the U.S., regulatory bodies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) or the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) conduct their own evaluations. Information regarding specific public evaluations of (+/-)-cis- And Trans-1,2-dihydroperillaldehyde by EFSA or JECFA is not readily available in public databases for common food additives, indicating it may not have undergone a broad public assessment by these international bodies. The regulation of flavoring agents can be complex, often involving proprietary data and specific industry standards in addition to government oversight.

Key Studies

Specific publicly accessible scientific studies directly evaluating the human safety of (+/-)-cis- And Trans-1,2-dihydroperillaldehyde (CAS 137886-38-5) are not widely cited in general scientific literature or public databases like PubMed or EFSA's public opinions for flavorings. When a food additive has not been affirmed as GRAS by the FDA, detailed toxicological data that would typically support such a determination or a Food Additive Petition often remains proprietary to the manufacturers. These studies would typically include data on the compound's metabolism, absorption, distribution, and excretion in animal models, as well as tests for acute and chronic toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity. For flavoring agents, evaluations often consider the threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) concept, especially for substances used at very low levels where full battery testing might be disproportionate to exposure. The absence of specific publicly cited studies does not mean they do not exist; rather, they are typically part of confidential regulatory submissions if the ingredient is used under a Food Additive Petition or similar approval process in other jurisdictions. Without public access to these studies or a comprehensive review by a major regulatory authority, a detailed scientific consensus on its safety profile for food use cannot be independently established from public information.

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