FlavScents AInsights Entry for 5-Methyl Furfural (CAS: 620-02-0)

1. Identity & Chemical Information

• Common Name(s): 5-Methyl furfural
• IUPAC Name: 5-Methylfuran-2-carbaldehyde
• CAS Number: 620-02-0
• FEMA Number: 2704
• Other Identifiers: FL No. 13.018
• Molecular Formula: C6H6O2
• Molecular Weight: 110.11 g/mol

5-Methyl furfural is a furan derivative characterized by an aldehyde functional group. Its structure contributes to its distinctive odor profile, which is often described as sweet and caramel-like. The presence of the furan ring is crucial for its reactivity and sensory properties, making it a valuable compound in flavor and fragrance applications.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; PubChem; FEMA

2. Sensory Profile

5-Methyl furfural is known for its sweet, caramel-like odor with nuances of almond and burnt sugar. It is often used to impart a warm, rich character to flavor compositions. The compound has a moderate intensity and diffusion, making it suitable as both an impact note and a background enhancer in various formulations. Specific odor thresholds are not widely reported, but its sensory impact is well-documented in the literature.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; peer-reviewed sensory literature

3. Natural Occurrence & Formation

5-Methyl furfural naturally occurs in a variety of foods, including coffee, roasted nuts, and bread crusts. It is primarily formed through the Maillard reaction, a complex series of chemical reactions between amino acids and reducing sugars during the heating process. This reaction is responsible for the development of flavor and color in cooked foods, contributing to the "browned" aroma profile. Its presence in natural products allows it to be designated as a "natural flavor" in certain regulatory contexts.

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

4. Use in Flavors

5-Methyl furfural is utilized across multiple flavor categories, including bakery, confectionery, and dairy. It serves as a key component in creating caramel, nutty, and roasted profiles. Typical use levels in finished food products range from 1 to 50 ppm, depending on the desired intensity and application. It is generally stable under typical processing conditions but may degrade under extreme heat or acidic environments.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; FEMA GRAS documentation; formulation literature

5. Use in Fragrances

In the fragrance industry, 5-methyl furfural is used to add depth and warmth to compositions, often found in gourmand and oriental fragrance families. It acts as a modifier or impact note, contributing to the middle or base notes of a fragrance. Typical concentrations range from trace amounts to 0.5% in finished products, depending on the formulation. Its moderate volatility allows it to blend well with other fragrance components.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; IFRA; fragrance chemistry texts

6. Regulatory Status (Regional Overview)

• United States: Recognized as GRAS by FEMA for flavor use.
• European Union: Listed under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 with FL No. 13.018.
• United Kingdom: Follows EU regulations post-Brexit with no significant divergence reported.
• Asia: Approved for use in Japan and China, with specific limits varying by country.
• Latin America: Generally accepted in Brazil and MERCOSUR countries, subject to local regulations.

Explicit approvals and harmonized assumptions are common, but formulators should verify specific country requirements due to potential variability.

Citation hooks: FEMA; EFSA; national authority publications

7. Toxicology, Safety & Exposure Considerations

For oral exposure, 5-methyl furfural is considered safe within the typical use levels, with an established ADI not clearly reported but generally recognized as safe under FEMA GRAS. Dermal exposure in fragrance applications shows low irritation potential, with no significant sensitization reported. Inhalation exposure is minimal due to its moderate volatility, but occupational safety measures should be observed in manufacturing settings.

Citation hooks: EFSA; FEMA; PubChem; toxicology literature

8. Practical Insights for Formulators

5-Methyl furfural is valued for its ability to enhance warmth and depth in both flavors and fragrances. It synergizes well with other caramel and nutty notes, but care should be taken to avoid overuse, which can lead to an overpowering or burnt character. It is often underutilized in complex formulations where its subtlety can enhance overall profile realism.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; industry practice

9. Confidence & Data Quality Notes

The data on 5-methyl furfural is well-established, with comprehensive sensory and regulatory information available. Industry practices are well-documented, though specific numeric thresholds may vary. Known data gaps include precise odor thresholds and detailed toxicological profiles, which should be addressed in future research.

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 2026-04-07 18:44:43 GMT (p2)