What Is Furaneol?
Furaneol is a white to yellow crystal or powder.
The name Furaneol is a trademark of Firmenich AG, and the IUPAC name is 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethylfuran-3-one. It is also known as 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone, 4-Hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone, Strawberry furanone, Alletone, Pineapple ketone, and Dimethylhydroxy furanone.
It is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H8O3 and molecular weight of 128.13. Its CAS number is 3658-77-3.
Uses of Furaneol
As its alias of strawberry furanone suggests, this compound has a strawberry-like aroma. Industrially, it is used as a food flavoring and perfume ingredient with a strawberry-like aroma.
It is used in diluted form because it becomes malodorous at high concentrations, and at a concentration of 0.01% it has a sweet, slightly burnt caramel, cotton candy-like savory aroma. The aroma threshold is so low that even 0.00004 mg or 0.00001 to 0.000005 mg in 1 kg of water can be perceived; at concentrations of 0.10 to 1.00 ppm, it has a sweet caramel or fruity taste.
It is found naturally in many fruits, including strawberries and pineapples, and is also an important aromatic component of buckwheat and tomatoes.
Properties of Furaneol
It is solid at room temperature, with a melting point of 77-79 °C and a boiling point of 216 °C. It is soluble in ethanol. It is soluble in ethanol and slightly soluble in water, chloroform and methanol.
The acid dissociation constant (pKa) is 8.56. The acid dissociation constant is a quantitative measure of the strength of an acid; a smaller pKa indicates a stronger acid.
Types of Furaneol
Furaneol has two enantiomers: (R)-(+)-Furaneol and (S)-(-)-Furaneol. The aroma of strawberry is attributed to the (R)-body.
Other Information on Furaneol
1. How Furaneol Is Produced
It is one of the products of glucose dehydration. It is biosynthesized from glucoside obtained by the dehydration of sucrose.
Industrially, 2,5-hexindiol is synthesized by ethynylation of acetaldehyde. 2,5-Hexindiol is then reacted with ozone and converted to hexane-2,5-diol-3,4-dione by reductive treatment.
Furaneol can then be synthesized by cyclization in the presence of an acidic catalyst. Alternatively, it can be produced from rhamnose in a multi-step bioprocess.
2. Handling and Storage Precautions
When Handling
Avoid contact with oxidizing agents, which are hazardous intermingling materials. Handling should be done in a well-ventilated area or where local exhaust ventilation is available.
Wear appropriate protective equipment when using. Care should be taken to avoid the dispersal of dust.
In Case of Fire
Furaneol is flammable in its liquid state. Decomposition may produce carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Use water spray, foam, powder extinguisher, or carbon dioxide to extinguish fire.
In Case of Skin Contact
Be careful not to get it on skin. Protective clothing, such as lab coats or work clothes and protective gloves, must be worn when using the product. Never roll up the sleeves of protective clothing to avoid skin exposure.
In the event of skin contact, immediately rinse with water. If on clothing, remove and isolate all contaminated clothing. If skin irritation or rash develops, seek medical advice and treatment.
In Case of Eye Contact
Always wear protective eyewear or goggles when using the product. In case of eye contact, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. If wearing contacts, remove them if they can be easily removed and rinse thoroughly. If eye irritation persists, seek medical advice and attention.
Storage
When storing, fill the container with inert gas such as nitrogen or argon gas, seal the container tightly, and store in a refrigerator (2-8°C). Store in a cool, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight. It is also important to keep the product away from oxidizers and other incompatible hazardous substances.