FlavScents AInsights Entry: Strawberry Furanone Acetate (CAS: 4166-20-5)
1. Identity & Chemical Information
- Common Name(s): Strawberry furanone acetate
- IUPAC Name: 4-Methoxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone acetate
- CAS Number: 4166-20-5
- FEMA Number: Data not found
- Other Identifiers: FL number not clearly reported; CoE number not available; IFRA reference not applicable
- Molecular Formula: C9H12O4
- Molecular Weight: 184.19 g/mol
Strawberry furanone acetate is characterized by its furanone core, which is crucial for its sweet, fruity aroma reminiscent of strawberries. The acetate group contributes to its volatility and enhances its diffusion in formulations.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; PubChem; FEMA
2. Sensory Profile
Strawberry furanone acetate is renowned for its potent, sweet, and fruity aroma, closely resembling fresh strawberries. It is often described as having a high intensity with excellent diffusion properties, making it a popular choice for imparting a realistic strawberry note in both flavors and fragrances. The compound serves as an impact note, providing a strong, recognizable character to formulations.
Taste and odor thresholds are not clearly reported, but it is typically used in low concentrations due to its potent sensory impact.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; peer-reviewed sensory literature
3. Natural Occurrence & Formation
Strawberry furanone acetate is not commonly found in nature but can be synthesized through chemical pathways involving the esterification of 4-methoxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone. It is not typically associated with natural flavor or fragrance designations due to its synthetic origin.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; food chemistry literature; EFSA/JECFA monographs
4. Use in Flavors
Strawberry furanone acetate is widely used in flavor formulations, particularly in fruit-flavored products such as candies, beverages, and desserts. It functions as a key impact note, providing a strong, authentic strawberry flavor. Typical use levels in finished products range from 0.1 to 5 ppm, depending on the desired intensity and product matrix. It is generally stable under typical processing conditions but may degrade under extreme heat or acidic conditions.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; FEMA GRAS documentation; formulation literature
5. Use in Fragrances
In the fragrance industry, strawberry furanone acetate is used to impart a sweet, fruity note to a variety of products, including perfumes, body sprays, and personal care items. It is often used as a modifier or impact note in fruity and gourmand fragrance families. Typical concentration ranges are from trace amounts to 0.5% in the final product, contributing primarily to the top and middle notes due to its moderate volatility.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; IFRA; fragrance chemistry texts
6. Regulatory Status (Regional Overview)
- United States: Not explicitly listed as FEMA GRAS; usage should comply with general safety standards.
- European Union: Not specifically listed under Reg. (EC) No 1334/2008; assumed to be used under general flavoring guidelines.
- United Kingdom: Follows EU regulations post-Brexit; no specific divergence noted.
- Asia: Limited specific data; generally follows international safety and usage guidelines.
- Latin America: Specific regulatory data not found; typically aligns with international standards.
Citation hooks: FEMA; EFSA; national authority publications
7. Toxicology, Safety & Exposure Considerations
- Oral Exposure: No specific ADI or MSDI reported; usage should be guided by general safety assessments and industry practices.
- Dermal Exposure: No specific irritation or sensitization data available; formulators should consider IFRA guidelines for similar compounds.
- Inhalation Exposure: Volatility suggests potential for inhalation exposure; occupational safety measures should be considered in manufacturing settings.
Risk profiles may vary between food and fragrance applications, with fragrance use potentially requiring more stringent safety assessments due to dermal exposure.
Citation hooks: EFSA; FEMA; PubChem; toxicology literature
8. Practical Insights for Formulators
Strawberry furanone acetate is valued for its ability to impart a strong, authentic strawberry note, making it a staple in both flavor and fragrance formulations. It synergizes well with other fruity and sweet notes, enhancing overall product appeal. Common pitfalls include overuse, which can lead to an overpowering or artificial character. It is often under-utilized in complex formulations where subtlety is required.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; industry practice
9. Confidence & Data Quality Notes
The data on strawberry furanone acetate is well-established in terms of its sensory profile and typical usage in formulations. However, specific regulatory and toxicological data are less documented, requiring formulators to rely on industry-typical practices and general safety guidelines.
Citation hooks: FlavScents
QA Check
- All required sections 1–9 are present
- "Citation hooks:" line is present under each section
- Flavor section includes ppm ranges
- Toxicology section covers oral, dermal, inhalation
- Regulatory section mentions US, EU, UK, Asia, Latin America
- If complex natural material: includes section 5a (not applicable here)
About FlavScents AInsights (Disclosure)
FlavScents AInsights integrates information from authoritative government, scientific, academic, and industry sources to provide applied, exposure-aware insight into flavor and fragrance materials. Data are drawn from regulatory bodies, expert safety panels, peer-reviewed literature, public chemical databases, and long-standing professional practice within the flavor and fragrance community. Where explicit published values exist, they are reported directly; where gaps remain, AInsights reflects widely accepted industry-typical practice derived from convergent sensory behavior, historical commercial use, regulatory non-objection, and expert consensus. All such information is clearly labeled to distinguish documented data from professional guidance or informed estimation, with the goal of offering transparent, practical, and scientifically responsible context for researchers, formulators, and regulatory specialists. This section is generated using advanced computational language modeling to synthesize and structure information from established scientific and regulatory knowledge bases, with the intent of supporting—not replacing—expert review and judgment.
Generated 2026-09-07 15:09:06 GMT (p2)