Important Synthetic Flavor Compounds - Part 7 (alpha-damascene, beta-demascone, damascenone, nootkatone, neryl acetate, geranyl acetate, citronellyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, 4-mentha-8-thiol-3-one)

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13 Mar 2026 • 14 min read

Part 7 (alpha-damascene, beta-demascone, damascenone, nootkatone, neryl acetate, geranyl acetate, citronellyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, 4-mentha-8-thiol-3-one)

These are among the 128 synthetic flavor compounds that John Wright, in his book Flavor Creation, suggests every flavorist should know and work with.

Here's the revised content with CAS numbers, standardized formatting, regulatory clarity, safety details, and expanded technical information for each compound:

Important Synthetic Flavor Compounds - Part 7 (Enhanced Edition)

alpha-Damascone (alpha-Damascene)

CAS Number: 23726-91-2 (alpha-isomer) / 43052-87-5 (mixture)
FEMA Number: 3659
Regulatory Status: FEMA GRAS
Flavor Note(s): Sweet, fruity, floral, woody with a green berry nuance. The taste is sweet, fruity, and woody with a green, seedy background.
Odor Threshold: Extremely low; approximately 0.1–0.5 ppb in water
Compounds That Render Similar Flavor Note: beta-Damascone (more fruity, plum-like), damascenone (more intense, floral-fruity with baked fruit character), and other rose ketones.
Compounds Often Used Together With: Used with beta-damascone, damascenone, and ionones in berry (especially raspberry and blackberry), apple, and floral flavor complexes to add depth and naturalness.
All Potential Applications: Berry flavors (raspberry, strawberry, blackberry), apple, red fruit blends, and floral nuances for beverages, confectionery, and baked goods.
General Usage Levels: Extremely potent. In finished products: 0.1–5 ppm. In flavor concentrates: 0.001–0.05% (10–500 ppm). For berry applications: 0.2–2 ppm; for apple: 0.1–1 ppm; for floral: 0.3–3 ppm.
Safety & Handling: Colorless to pale yellow liquid. Flash point: >200°F (>93°C). Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers, protected from heat and light. Proper storage yields shelf life of 12 months or longer. Use adequate ventilation due to potency.

beta-Damascone

CAS Number: 23726-92-3 (beta-isomer) / 35044-68-9 (mixture)
FEMA Number: 3243
Regulatory Status: FEMA GRAS
Flavor Note(s): Fruity, floral, black currant, plum, rose, honey, tobacco. It has a rich, sweet, and complex fruity-floral character.
Odor Threshold: Extremely low; approximately 0.05–0.2 ppb in water
Compounds That Render Similar Flavor Note: alpha-Damascone (more woody-green), damascenone (more intense, baked fruit), beta-ionone (woody-berry, less fruity).
Compounds Often Used Together With: Used with damascenone, ionones, and other rose ketones in black currant, plum, rose, and honey flavor complexes. Also used in tobacco flavors.
All Potential Applications: Black currant, plum, prune, raisin, rose, honey, and other fruit and floral flavors for beverages, candies, baked goods, and tobacco products.
General Usage Levels: Very potent. In finished products: 0.1–5 ppm. In flavor concentrates: 0.001–0.05% (10–500 ppm). For black currant: 0.5–3 ppm; for plum: 0.3–2 ppm; for rose: 0.2–1.5 ppm.
Safety & Handling: Colorless to pale yellow liquid. Flash point: >200°F (>93°C). Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers, protected from heat and light. Proper storage yields shelf life of 12 months or longer. Use adequate ventilation.

Damascenone

CAS Number: 23696-85-7
FEMA Number: 3420
Regulatory Status: FEMA GRAS. JECFA (No. 387) concluded the substance does not present a safety concern at current levels of intake. Acute oral LD50 in rats >2.0 g/kg.
Flavor Note(s): Extremely powerful, intensely natural, floral (rose), fruity (plum, grape, raspberry), and sugary. It smells intensely natural with a complex, baked fruit character.
Odor Threshold: Extremely low; approximately 0.01–0.1 ppb in water
Compounds That Render Similar Flavor Note: beta-Damascone (plum-rose), alpha-damascone (green-berry), and the ionones (violet-berry).
Compounds Often Used Together With: Used with other rose ketones (damascones, ionones) and fruity esters in complex fruit (berry, plum) and floral (rose) flavor compositions.
All Potential Applications: Rose, raspberry, strawberry, plum, grape, and other fruit and floral flavors for beverages, confectionery, baked goods, and dairy products.
General Usage Levels: Extremely potent. In finished products: 0.05–2 ppm. In flavor concentrates: 0.0005–0.02% (5–200 ppm). For berry: 0.1–1 ppm; for rose: 0.2–1.5 ppm; for plum/grape: 0.3–2 ppm. Maximum skin level in fine fragrances reported at 0.02%.
Safety & Handling: Colorless to pale yellow liquid. Flash point: >200°F (>93°C). Worldwide usage in fragrance applications estimated at 1–10 metric tonnes per annum. Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers, protected from light. Use adequate ventilation. Shelf life: 12–24 months.

Nootkatone

CAS Number: 4674-50-4
FEMA Number: 3166
Regulatory Status: FEMA GRAS. International Note: In China, it is regulated as a synthetic food flavor with specific applicable food categories and maximum content limits as per NHC regulations.
Flavor Note(s): Grapefruit, citrus, peely, juicy. It is the primary character-impact compound of grapefruit, providing the distinct, juicy, and slightly bitter grapefruit aroma.
Odor Threshold: Approximately 1–10 ppb in water
Compounds That Render Similar Flavor Note: Grapefruit oil, valencene (orange, less grapefruit-specific), other sesquiterpene ketones.
Compounds Often Used Together With: Used with other citrus terpenes (d-limonene, valencene) and aldehydes (decanal, octanal) to build authentic grapefruit and other citrus profiles.
All Potential Applications: Grapefruit, orange, and other citrus flavors for beverages, candies, and functional products. Also known for its insect-repellent properties.
General Usage Levels: Used at low to moderate levels. In finished products: 5–50 ppm (grapefruit: 10–40 ppm; orange: 5–20 ppm). In flavor concentrates: 0.05–0.5% (500–5000 ppm). Often used with valencene for authentic grapefruit profiles.
Safety & Handling: White to pale yellow crystalline solid. Melting point: 36–39°C (97–102°F). Flash point: >200°F (>93°C). Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers, protected from light. Shelf life: 24 months.

Neryl Acetate

CAS Number: 141-12-8
FEMA Number: 2773
Regulatory Status: FEMA GRAS
Flavor Note(s): Sweet, floral, rose-like, raspberry. The taste is fresh, pungent, with honey notes.
Odor Threshold: Approximately 10–50 ppb in water
Compounds That Render Similar Flavor Note: Geranyl acetate (sweeter, more fruity-floral, lavender undertone), citronellyl acetate (dusty, floral, rose), linalyl acetate (citrus, bergamot, floral).
Compounds Often Used Together With: Used with geranyl acetate, citronellyl acetate, and other terpene esters in floral (rose, neroli, jasmine) and berry (raspberry) flavor complexes.
All Potential Applications: Rose, neroli, jasmine, raspberry, and other fruit and floral flavors for beverages, candies, and baked goods.
General Usage Levels: Used at low to moderate levels. In finished products: 2–30 ppm. In flavor concentrates: 0.02–0.3% (200–3000 ppm). For rose: 5–20 ppm; for raspberry: 3–15 ppm; for neroli: 4–25 ppm.
Safety & Handling: Colorless to pale yellow liquid. Flash point: 214°F (101°C). Soluble in 70% ethanol. Keep in tightly closed container in a cool, dry place, protected from light. When stored for more than 24 months, quality should be checked before use. Shelf life: 24 months.

Geranyl Acetate

CAS Number: 105-87-3
FEMA Number: 2509
Regulatory Status: FEMA GRAS
Flavor Note(s): Sweet, fruity-floral, rosy, green odor with a lavender undertone.
Odor Threshold: Approximately 10–50 ppb in water
Compounds That Render Similar Flavor Note: Neryl Acetate (fresher, more honey-like), linalyl acetate (more citrus-bergamot), citronellyl acetate (softer rose).
Compounds Often Used Together With: Used with neryl acetate, citronellyl acetate, linalool, and other terpenes in floral (rose, lavender, geranium) and fruit (apple, apricot, berry) flavor compositions.
All Potential Applications: Rose, lavender, geranium, apple, apricot, berry, and citrus flavors for beverages, candies, baked goods, and chewing gum.
General Usage Levels: In finished products: up to 20 ppm. In flavor concentrates: 0.02–0.2% (200–2000 ppm). For rose/lavender: 5–20 ppm; for apple/apricot: 3–15 ppm; for berry: 2–12 ppm.
Safety & Handling: Almost colorless to pale yellow liquid. Flash point (TCC): >212°F (>100°C). Soluble in 1.5 volumes of 70% alcohol. Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers, protected from light. Typical shelf life: 24 months.

Citronellyl Acetate

CAS Number: 150-84-5
FEMA Number: 2311
Regulatory Status: FEMA GRAS. JECFA number 57. Listed in 21 CFR 172.515.
Flavor Note(s): Dusty, floral, fragrant, rose. It provides a sweet, fresh, and fruity-rose character with a hint of citrus.
Odor Threshold: Approximately 10–50 ppb in water
Compounds That Render Similar Flavor Note: Geranyl acetate (more intense, lavender undertone), neryl acetate (fresher, honey-like), linalyl acetate (more citrusy).
Compounds Often Used Together With: Used with geranyl acetate, neryl acetate, citronellol, and other rose alcohols in rose, citrus, and berry flavor complexes.
All Potential Applications: Rose, citrus (especially bergamot), berry, and other fruit and floral flavors for beverages, candies, and baked goods.
General Usage Levels: Used at low to moderate levels. In finished products: 2–30 ppm. In flavor concentrates: 0.02–0.3% (200–3000 ppm). For rose: 5–20 ppm; for bergamot: 4–15 ppm; for berry: 2–10 ppm.
Safety & Handling: Colorless to pale yellow liquid. Flash point: 205°F (96°C). Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers, protected from light. Stable under normal storage conditions. Shelf life: 24 months.

Linalyl Acetate

CAS Number: 115-95-7
FEMA Number: 2636
Regulatory Status: FEMA GRAS
Flavor Note(s): Sweet, floral, fruity, citrus (bergamot), lavender. It has a fresh, light, and pleasant bergamot-like character with woody and spicy undertones.
Odor Threshold: Approximately 10–100 ppb in water
Compounds That Render Similar Flavor Note: Lavender oil, bergamot oil, geranyl acetate (rosy-lavender), linalool (the alcohol version, less fruity, more floral).
Compounds Often Used Together With: Used with linalool, geranyl acetate, and other terpenes in lavender, bergamot, and other citrus flavors. Also used in peach, apricot, and berry complexes.
All Potential Applications: Lavender, bergamot, orange, peach, apricot, blackberry, and other fruit and floral flavors for beverages, candies, baked goods, and chewing gum.
General Usage Levels: Used at low to moderate levels. In finished products: 5–50 ppm. In flavor concentrates: 0.05–0.5% (500–5000 ppm). For lavender/bergamot: 10–40 ppm; for peach/apricot: 5–25 ppm; for berry: 3–20 ppm.
Safety & Handling: Colorless to pale yellow liquid. Flash point: 180°F (82°C). Found naturally in many essential oils including lavender, bergamot, and clary sage. Prone to hydrolysis in acidic environments; consider stability in low-pH applications. Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers, protected from light. Shelf life: 24 months.

Isobornyl Acetate

CAS Number: 125-12-2
FEMA Number: 2160
Regulatory Status: FEMA GRAS. JECFA number 1388. Listed in 21 CFR 172.515.
Flavor Note(s): Green, piney, woody, herbal, camphoraceous. It provides a fresh, clean, and characteristic pine forest aroma with a slight balsamic undertone.
Odor Threshold: Approximately 50–200 ppb in water
Compounds That Render Similar Flavor Note: Bornyl acetate (similar piney character), pine needle oil, fir needle oil, and other pine terpenes.
Compounds Often Used Together With: Used with other pine terpenes (alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, camphene) and herbal notes in pine, forest fruit, and spice flavor complexes.
All Potential Applications: Pine, fir, and other forest fruit flavors. Used in confectionery (cough drops, candies), beverages, baked goods, and some spice blends.
General Usage Levels: Used at moderate levels. In finished products: 5–50 ppm. In flavor concentrates: 0.05–0.5% (500–5000 ppm). For pine/cough drop: 10–50 ppm; for forest fruit: 5–25 ppm.
Safety & Handling: Colorless to pale yellow liquid. Flash point: 180°F (82°C). Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers, protected from light. Stable under normal storage conditions. The FEMA GRAS assessment of alicyclic substances used as flavor ingredients, including isobornyl acetate, was published in Food and Chemical Toxicology (1996). Shelf life: 24 months.

4-Mentha-8-thiol-3-one (para-Mentha-8-thiol-3-one)

CAS Number: 38462-22-5 (trans-isomer) / 83158-28-7 (cis-isomer)
FEMA Number: 3809
Regulatory Status: FEMA GRAS
Flavor Note(s): Sulfury, catty, black currant, grapefruit, tropical. It has an intense, "tomcat" or "buchu" note that is characteristic of black currant and certain tropical fruits.
Odor Threshold: Extremely low; estimated 0.001–0.01 ppb in water
Compounds That Render Similar Flavor Note: 4-Mentha-8-thiol-3-one acetate (softer, more stable, similar catty-berry profile), buchu oil, other sulfur-containing compounds with catty notes.
Compounds Often Used Together With: Used extensively in black currant flavors. Also used in grapefruit, passionfruit, guava, mango, peach, and other tropical and berry fruit flavors to add authentic sulfury lift and complexity.
All Potential Applications: Black currant, grapefruit, passionfruit, guava, mango, peach, nectarine, lychee, cantaloupe, tangerine, and many other fruit flavors for beverages, candies, and functional products.
General Usage Levels: Extremely potent. Dose rates in flavor concentrates intended for 0.05% use (ppm in concentrate):
- Passionfruit / Black Currant: 20–100 ppm
- Grapefruit / Guava / Peach: 10–20 ppm
- Cantaloupe: 8 ppm
- Mango / Lemon: 5 ppm
- Lychee: 1 ppm
  In finished products: 0.005–0.5 ppb (0.005–0.05 ppb for most applications; up to 0.5 ppb for intense profiles).
Safety & Handling: Colorless to pale yellow liquid. Chemically more stable and more heat stable than the corresponding thiol, making it preferable for applications involving heat processing or requiring longer shelf life. Its catty note is relatively free from metallic undertones compared to some other sulfur compounds. Store in a cool, dark place in tightly sealed containers under inert gas to prevent oxidation. Use adequate ventilation and fume hood. Use PTFE or glass containers; avoid prolonged contact with soft plastics. Shelf life: 12–24 months when stored properly.

Below is the original version

alpha-Damascene (alpha-Damascone)

FEMA Number: 3659 .
Flavor Note(s): Sweet, fruity, floral, woody with a green berry nuance. The taste is sweet, fruity, and woody with a green, seedy background .
Compounds That Render Similar Flavor Note: beta-Damascone (more fruity, plum-like), damascenone (more intense, floral-fruity with baked fruit character), and other rose ketones.
Compounds Often Used Together With: Used with beta-damascone, damascenone, and ionones in berry (especially raspberry and blackberry), apple, and floral flavor complexes to add depth and naturalness.
All Potential Applications: Berry flavors (raspberry, strawberry, blackberry), apple, red fruit blends, and floral nuances for beverages, confectionery, and baked goods.
General Usage Levels: Extremely potent. Used at very low levels, typically in the range of 0.1 to 5 ppm in the finished product.
Important Considerations for Flavorists: Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers, protected from heat and light. It has a flash point >200°F TCC. Proper storage yields a shelf life of 12 months or longer . FEMA GRAS.