carvacrol

Full Material List

2-methyl-5-propan-2-ylphenol

Identifiers

CAS (Single)	499-75-2
FEMA	2245
EINECS	207-889-6
Synonyms	antioxine carvacrol (+) carvacrol extra carvacrol FCC carvacrol natural carvamol 21 (Frutarom) p- cymene-2-ol para- cymene-2-ol 2-p- cymenol 2-para- cymenol cymophenol 1- hydroxy-2-methyl-5-isopropyl benzene 1- hydroxy-2-methyl-5-isopropylbenzene 2- hydroxy-4-cymene hydroxy-p-cymene 2- hydroxy-p-cymene 2- hydroxy-para-cymene karvakrol 1- methyl-2-hydroxy-4-isopropyl benzene 1- methyl-2-hydroxy-4-isopropylbenzene 6- methyl-3-isopropyl phenol 6- methyl-3-isopropylphenol 2- methyl-5-(1-methyl ethyl) phenol 2- methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)phenol 2- methyl-5-(methylethyl)phenol 2- methyl-5-(propan-2-yl)phenol 2- methyl-5-isopropyl phenol 2- methyl-5-isopropylphenol 2- methyl-5-propan-2-ylphenol phenol, 2-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)- 5-iso propyl-2-methyl phenol 5-iso propyl-2-methyl-phenol 5-iso propyl-2-methylphenol 3-iso propyl-6-methyl phenol 3-iso propyl-6-methylphenol 5-iso propyl-o-cresol iso propyl-o-cresol 5-iso propyl-ortho-cresol iso propyl-ortho-cresol o- thymol
JECFA Food Flavoring	710
JECFA Food Additive	N/A
DG SANTE Food Flavourings	04.031 carvacrol
DG SANTE Food Contact Materials	N/A
FDA UNII	9B1J4V995Q
CoE Number	2055
XlogP3-AA	3.10 (est)
Molecular Weight	150.22078
Molecular Formula	C10 H14 O

Properties

Food Chemicals Codex Listed	Yes
Appearance	colorless to yellow clear viscous liquid (est)
Assay	98.00 to 100.00
Specific Gravity	0.97300 to 0.98300 @ 25.00 °C.
Lbs/Gal (est)	8.096 to 8.180
Refractive Index	1.51900 to 1.52900 @ 20.00 Â°C.
Melting Point	1.00 to 3.00 Â°C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Boiling Point	237.70 Â°C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Flash Point	224.00 Â°F. TCC ( 106.67 Â°C. )
Acid Value	N/A
Vapor Pressure	0.030000 mmHg @ 25.00 Â°C. (est)
Vapor Density	N/A
logP (o/w)	3.49
Soluble In	alcohol alkalies ether sulfuric acid water, 1250 mg/L @ 25 °C (exp) cream lotion non-discoloring in most media soap
Occurrence	ajowan seed oil turkey @ 0.60% armoise oil morocco @ trace% artemisia campestris spp. glutinosa flower oil italy @ 0.90% basil plant basil shoot oil bay laurel leaf oil bergamot plant wild boldo leaf oil italy @ 0.01% calamus camphor oil caraway seed caraway seed oil cascarilla bark oil @ 0.02% chenopodium ambrosioides oil @ 4.2% cinnamomum fragrans baillon leaf oil madagascar @ 0.10% cistus oil @ 0.8% clary sage oil greece @ trace% corn seed corn seed oil corn silk cranberry fruit crithmum maritimum l. oil turkey @ 0.10% cumin seed dill leaf dill seed oil eucalyptus deaneti maiden leaf oil ethiopia @ 0.80% eucalyptus delegatensis r. baker leaf oil ethiopia @ 0.40% eucalyptus saligna smith leaf oil ethiopia @ 0.70% featherfew leaf oil @ trace% guava leaf oil cuba @ trace% helichrysum arenarium (l.) moench oil hungary @ 3.60% heracleum paphlagonicum czeczott fruit oil turkey @ <0.01% hyssop plant labdanum oil @ 0.21% laurel leaf oil turkey @ 0.10% lemon balm lemon verbena oil morocco @ 0.1% lippia aff. gracillis h.b.k. leaf oil brazil @ 38.40% lovage root mandarin oil @ 0.37% marjoram marjoram oil marjoram oil @ trace% marjoram oil spain @ trace% marjoram oil sweet cuba @ 0.46% marjoram oil sweet cyprus @ 0.50-6.00% marjoram oil sweet morocco @ 0.40% marjoram oil sweet turkey @ 78.27-79.46% marjoram plant marjoram pot oil turkey @ 23.43-78.73% marjoram wild marjoram oil mikan peel oil @ trace% mint myrtle nepeta betonicifolia c.a. meyer oil turkey @ 1.00% orange peel oil bitter china @ 0.02% oregano oregano flower oil oregano leaf oregano oil oregano oil mexico @ 16.50% oregano plant oregano plant oregano shoot oregano shoot oregano shoot oil origanum oil greece @ 66.69% osmanthus absolute @ trace% pennyroyal pepper black pepper fruit pepper black pepper seed peppermint oil pimenta leaf oil @ 1.00% pimenta racemosa leaf oil lemon @ 0.01% pteronia oil @ 0.50% rosemary leaf rosemary oil egypt @ 0.35% rosemary oil france @ 0.00-0.14% rosemary oil spain @ 0.2% rosemary oil turkey @ 1.73% rosemary shoot oil sage oil england @ 0.10% sage oil reunion @ trace% salvia officinalis seed oil tunisia @ 0.83% salvia sclarea seed oil tunisia @ 1.93% satureja khuzistanica jamzad oil iran @ 29.60% savory savory oil summer @ 23.88-27.20% savory oil winter @ 1.50% savory oleoresin winter @ 1.50% savory summer savory plant savory winter savory oil savory winter savory plant spearmint leaf spearmint oil sugandha kokila berry oil @ 0.40% tamarind fruit oil tamarind seed oil tansy oil argentina @ trace% tansy oil marocco @ 0.20% tea leaf thymbra spicata thyme absolute @ 6.96% thyme oil thyme oil portuguese @ 42.0% thyme oil red CO2 extract @ 3.17% thyme oil red CO2 extract spain @ 33.3% thyme oil red spain @ 0.61-1.72% thyme oil spain @ 1.66% thyme oil spain @ 3.34% thyme oil wild or creeping france @ 0.30% thyme oil wild or creeping pakistan @ 8.15% thyme plant thyme shoot thymus richardii pers. subsp. nitidus (guss.) jalas oil italy @ 13.10% walnut black walnut oil wormseed oil america @ 0.04% wormseed oil spain @ 0.5% wormwood oil annus france @ 0.10-1.10% wormwood oil italy @ 0.3% xylopia aromatica (lam.) mart. leaf oil cuba @ 0.30% yarrow oil greece @ trace%

Organoleptic

Organoleptic Notes	1. Odor Type: spicy Odor Strength:medium Substantivity:272 hour(s) at 100.00 % spicy woody camphoreous thyme Odor Description:at 100.00 %. spice woody camphor thymolLuebke, William tgsc, (1989) Odor sample from: FRUTAROM USA INC, spicy cooling thyme herbal camphoreous smoky Odor Description:Spicy, cooling, thymol-like, herbal and camphoreous with smoky nuancesMosciano, Gerard P&F 23, No. 1, 33, (1998)
Odor	spicy spicy, woody, camphoreous, thyme, cooling, herbal, smoky
Flavor	spicy spicy, herbal, phenolic, medicinal, woody,

AInsights BETA

FlavScents AInsights Entry for Carvacrol (CAS: 499-75-2)

1. Identity & Chemical Information

Common Name(s): Carvacrol
IUPAC Name: 2-Methyl-5-(propan-2-yl)phenol
CAS Number: 499-75-2
FEMA Number: 2245
Other Identifiers: FL No. 02.042
Molecular Formula: C10H14O
Molecular Weight: 150.22 g/mol

Carvacrol is a monoterpenoid phenol with a structure characterized by a hydroxyl group attached to a benzene ring, which is substituted with isopropyl and methyl groups. This structure is crucial for its distinctive odor and flavor properties, contributing to its role in both flavor and fragrance applications.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; PubChem; FEMA

2. Sensory Profile

Carvacrol is known for its warm, spicy, and herbal aroma, reminiscent of oregano and thyme. It exhibits a pungent, slightly medicinal flavor profile with a strong, lasting intensity. The compound is often used as an impact note in flavor formulations, providing a characteristic herbal warmth. While specific taste and odor thresholds are not widely documented, carvacrol's potent sensory attributes make it effective even at low concentrations.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; peer-reviewed sensory literature

3. Natural Occurrence & Formation

Carvacrol naturally occurs in the essential oils of various plants, most notably oregano (Origanum vulgare) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). It is biosynthesized in plants through the mevalonate pathway, leading to the formation of monoterpenes. Carvacrol's presence in these plants contributes to their designation as "natural flavors" or "natural fragrances" in regulatory contexts.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; food chemistry literature; EFSA/JECFA monographs

4. Use in Flavors

Carvacrol is extensively used in savory flavor applications, particularly in meat, spice, and herb blends. It serves as a functional component in flavor systems, providing authenticity and depth. Typical use levels in food range from 1 to 50 ppm, with higher concentrations potentially overpowering other flavor notes. Carvacrol is relatively stable under heat and acidic conditions but may oxidize over time, affecting its sensory properties.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; FEMA GRAS documentation; formulation literature

5. Use in Fragrances

In fragrance formulations, carvacrol is utilized in herbal, spicy, and woody fragrance families. It acts as a modifier or impact note, enhancing the realism of herbal accords. Carvacrol is typically used in trace amounts due to its strong odor, contributing primarily to the top and middle notes of a fragrance composition. Its volatility is moderate, allowing it to blend well with other fragrance components.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; IFRA; fragrance chemistry texts

6. Regulatory Status (Regional Overview)

United States

Carvacrol is recognized as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by FEMA for flavor use.

European Union

Under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008, carvacrol is approved for use in food flavorings, with an assigned FL number.

United Kingdom

Post-Brexit, the UK aligns with EU regulations regarding carvacrol's use in flavors.

Asia

In Japan and China, carvacrol is permitted in food flavors, though specific concentration limits may vary.

Latin America

Carvacrol is accepted in MERCOSUR countries for flavor use, with harmonized regulations similar to those in the EU.

Citation hooks: FEMA; EFSA; national authority publications

7. Toxicology, Safety & Exposure Considerations

Oral Exposure

Carvacrol has a high margin of safety when used within recommended levels in food. The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is not explicitly established, but typical use levels are considered safe.

Dermal Exposure

In fragrance applications, carvacrol may cause skin irritation or sensitization at high concentrations. IFRA provides guidelines to mitigate these risks.

Inhalation Exposure

Carvacrol's volatility necessitates caution in occupational settings to prevent respiratory irritation.

Overall, the risk profiles for carvacrol differ between food and fragrance applications, with dermal exposure requiring more stringent controls.

Citation hooks: EFSA; FEMA; PubChem; toxicology literature

8. Practical Insights for Formulators

Carvacrol is valued for its ability to impart a warm, herbal character to both flavors and fragrances. It synergizes well with other phenolic compounds and herbal notes. Formulators should be cautious of its potency, as overuse can lead to overpowering and unbalanced formulations. It is often underutilized in complex blends where subtlety is required.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; industry practice

9. Confidence & Data Quality Notes

The data on carvacrol is well-established, with comprehensive documentation available from authoritative sources. Industry practices are generally consistent, though specific concentration limits may vary by region. Some data gaps exist in the precise quantification of sensory thresholds.

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 2026-05-29 13:43:15 GMT (p2)

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