Name: Ethyl Maltol
CAS No: 2-Ethyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one [4940-11-8]
None adopted.
2-Ethyl pyromeconic acid; 3-hydroxy-2-ethyl-4-pyrone; Veltol Plus.
2-Ethyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one [4940-11-8]
C7H8O3 140.14
Ethyl maltol is used in pharmaceutical formulations and food products as a flavoring agent or flavor enhancer in applications similar to maltol. It has a flavor and odor 4–6 times as intense as maltol. Ethyl maltol is used in oral syrups at concentrations of about 0.004% w/v and also at low levels in perfumery.
White crystalline solid with characteristic, very sweet, caramel-like odor and taste. In dilute solution it possesses a sweet, fruitlike flavor and odor.
Melting point 89–938C NIR spectra see Figure 1. Solubility see Table I.
Solutions may be stored in glass or plastic containers. The bulk material should be stored in a well-closed container, protected from light, in a cool, dry place.
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Unlike maltol, ethyl maltol does not occur naturally. It may be prepared by treating a-ethylfurfuryl alcohol with a halogen to produce 4-halo-6-hydroxy-2-ethyl-2H-pyran-3(6H)-one, which is converted to ethyl maltol by hydrolysis
In animal feeding studies, ethyl maltol has been shown to be well tolerated with no adverse toxic, reproductive, or embryogenic effects. It has been reported that while the acute toxicity of ethyl maltol, in animal studies, is slightly greater than maltol, with repeated dosing the opposite is true.(1) The WHO has set an acceptable daily intake for ethyl maltol at up to 2 mg/kg bodyweight.(2,3) LD50 (chicken, oral): 1.27 g/kg(4) LD50 (rat, oral): 1.15 g/kg LD50 (mouse, oral): 0.78 g/kg LD50 (mouse, SC): 0.91 g/kg
Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Ethyl maltol should be used in a wellventilated environment. Dust may be irritant, and eye protection and gloves are recommended.
GRAS listed. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral syrup).
Maltol.
See Maltol for further information. Although not included in any pharmacopeias, a specification for ethyl maltol is contained in the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC), see Table II.(5)
