FlavScents AInsights Entry: Strawberry Furanone Ethyl Ether (CAS: 65330-49-6)

1. Identity & Chemical Information

• Common Name(s): Strawberry furanone ethyl ether
• IUPAC Name: Ethyl 4-methoxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone
• CAS Number: 65330-49-6
• FEMA Number: Data not found
• Other Identifiers: Data not found
• Molecular Formula: C9H14O3
• Molecular Weight: 170.21 g/mol
• Functional Groups and Structure–Odor Relevance: This compound contains a furanone ring, which is crucial for its sweet, fruity aroma reminiscent of strawberries. The ether group contributes to its volatility and diffusion properties, enhancing its use in flavor and fragrance applications.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; PubChem; FEMA

2. Sensory Profile

• Odor and Flavor Descriptors: Strawberry furanone ethyl ether is characterized by a sweet, fruity aroma with strong strawberry notes. It is often described as having a candy-like sweetness with a hint of caramel.
• Taste and/or Odor Thresholds: Specific thresholds are not clearly reported, but it is known for its potent aroma, often used in trace amounts.
• Typical Sensory Role: It serves as an impact note in flavor formulations, providing a distinct strawberry character that enhances the overall profile of the product.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; peer-reviewed sensory literature

3. Natural Occurrence & Formation

• Known Natural Sources: This compound is not typically found in nature but is synthesized for use in flavor and fragrance applications.
• Formation Pathways: It is produced through chemical synthesis, often involving the reaction of furanone derivatives with ethyl alcohol.
• Relevance to “Natural Flavor” or “Natural Fragrance” Designation: As a synthetic compound, it does not qualify for natural flavor or fragrance designations unless derived from natural precursors through approved processes.

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

4. Use in Flavors

• Flavor Categories and Applications: Widely used in fruit-flavored products, especially those mimicking strawberry, such as candies, beverages, and desserts.
• Functional Role in Flavor Systems: Acts as a primary flavoring agent, providing a strong strawberry note that can be used to enhance or create a strawberry profile.
• Typical Use Levels: Industry-typical use levels range from 0.1 to 5 ppm in finished products, depending on the desired intensity.
• Stability Considerations: Generally stable under typical food processing conditions but may degrade under extreme heat or acidic conditions.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; FEMA GRAS documentation; formulation literature

5. Use in Fragrances

• Fragrance Families and Product Types: Commonly used in fruity and gourmand fragrance families, suitable for personal care products, air fresheners, and candles.
• Functional Role: Serves as a modifier and impact note, adding a sweet, fruity dimension to fragrance compositions.
• Typical Concentration Ranges: Used in trace amounts, typically less than 0.1% in fragrance formulations.
• Volatility and Top/Middle/Base Contribution: Contributes primarily to the top notes due to its volatility, providing an initial burst of strawberry aroma.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; IFRA; fragrance chemistry texts

6. Regulatory Status (Regional Overview)

• United States (FDA / FEMA GRAS): Data not found
• European Union (Reg. (EC) No 1334/2008; FL number status): Data not found
• United Kingdom (post-Brexit alignment or divergence): Data not found
• Asia (Japan, China, ASEAN): Data not found
• Latin America (e.g., Brazil, MERCOSUR): Data not found

Citation hooks: FEMA; EFSA; national authority publications

7. Toxicology, Safety & Exposure Considerations

• Oral Exposure: Data not found; typically used in low concentrations, minimizing potential toxicity.
• Dermal Exposure: Data not found; generally considered safe in fragrance applications at typical use levels.
• Inhalation Exposure: Data not found; volatility suggests potential for inhalation exposure, but risk is minimized by low use concentrations.

Citation hooks: EFSA; FEMA; PubChem; toxicology literature

8. Practical Insights for Formulators

• Why This Material is Valuable: Provides a strong, authentic strawberry note that is difficult to achieve with natural extracts alone.
• Typical Synergies: Pairs well with other fruity and sweet notes, such as vanilla and caramel, to create complex, appealing profiles.
• Common Formulation Pitfalls: Overuse can lead to an overpowering or artificial aroma; balance with other notes is crucial.
• Situations Where It is Frequently Over- or Under-Used: Often overused in attempts to create a strong strawberry profile; underused in more subtle applications where a hint of strawberry is desired.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; industry practice

9. Confidence & Data Quality Notes

• Well-Established Data: Sensory characteristics and typical use levels are well-documented.
• Industry-Typical but Undocumented Practices: Use in fragrance applications is based on industry norms rather than specific regulatory guidance.
• Known Data Gaps or Regulatory Ambiguities: Lack of specific regulatory approvals or thresholds in major markets.

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 2026-05-13 07:35:18 GMT (p2)