Ethyl-2-Methylbutyrate
Ethyl-2-Methylbutyrate is a colourless mobile liquid with a powerful, diffusive fruity aroma dominated by ripe red apple, with secondary facets of pineapple, strawberry, and tropical fruit skin.
The compound has the molecular formula C₇H₁₄O₂ and CAS number 7452-79-1. It is one of the most potent ester impact molecules in the flavour industry, with an odour threshold in water measured at the low parts-per-billion level.
We source bulk Ethyl-2-Methylbutyrate from top China manufacturers for our partners. The manufacturer is in Jiangsu. A smaller requirement can ship in a combined container with other ingredients.
Please send the grade you need, the volume and your destination port, and we will come back with a solution and a price.
or call +86-21-6858 0751
- Packaging
- 250 kg plastic drum or 1,000 kg IBC tote
- ISO 9001
- HACCP
- Halal
- Kosher
Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear colourless mobile liquid |
| Odour | Powerful diffusive fruity, ripe red apple with tropical facets |
| Assay (Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate, by GC) | ≥ 99.0% |
| Colour (APHA) | ≤ 10 |
| Specific Gravity (25/25 °C) | 0.868 – 0.874 |
| Refractive Index (20 °C) | 1.393 – 1.398 |
| Acid Value | ≤ 1.0 mg KOH/g |
| Free 2-Methylbutyric Acid | ≤ 0.2% |
| Water (Karl Fischer) | ≤ 0.1% |
| Residual Ethanol | ≤ 0.5% |
| Solubility (25 °C) | One volume dissolves in four volumes of 70% ethanol, clear |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 mg/kg |
| Lead | ≤ 2 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤ 1 mg/kg |
Common Markets Grades
Flavour grade is the only grade, because no significant non-flavour market exists for the material.
The standard commercial grade carries a minimum assay of 99 percent and meets the Food Chemicals Codex monograph. Specifications cover acid value, refractive index, specific gravity, and colour in APHA units.
A nature-identical synthetic grade serves the bulk of demand. A natural grade produced by lipase-catalysed esterification of bio-derived 2-methylbutyric acid and ethanol carries a premium for natural-labelled compositions, and is approved under U.S. and EU natural flavour definitions.
The molecule has one stereocenter. Most commercial material is racemic, though the (S)-enantiomer carries a stronger fresh-apple character and sells as a specialty grade.
Applications
- Red apple flavour systems as the primary character impact note
- Green and yellow apple compositions in beverage and confectionery use
- Pineapple, mango, and passionfruit tropical accords as a fruity lift
- Strawberry, raspberry, and red-berry flavours for dairy and bakery applications
- Peach, apricot, and other stone-fruit flavour bases
- Pear and quince accords for hard candy, gum, and jelly
- Grape and muscat flavours for beverages and fruit wines
- Tropical and exotic-fruit cocktail blends in spirit and ready-to-drink formats
- Chewing gum flavour compositions where high diffusivity is wanted
- Ice cream, sorbet, and frozen fruit dessert flavours
- Yogurt, fromage frais, and cultured dairy fruit flavours
- Fine fragrance and personal care accords for fruity top notes
China Manufacturers of Ethyl-2-Methylbutyrate
Top Ethyl-2-Methylbutyrate manufacturers in China.
Company names and logos are the property of the manufacturers themselves. They are listed here because our own directory records them as producing this ingredient. A listing is not an endorsement by them, and we do not represent them or speak on their behalf.
How We Help Source Ethyl-2-Methylbutyrate
Direct Factory Sourcing
We run the whole process: selecting the manufacturer from the top Chinese food ingredient producers, negotiating the price, verifying quality, and coordinating the logistics. You deal with us instead of with several factories at once.
Original Packaging and Documents from the Manufacturer
The manufacturer sends your Ethyl-2-Methylbutyrate out of its own factory in the original packing, through to your destination port. The COA, COO, MSDS, TDS and any certifications reach you from the manufacturer as well.
Free Samples and Lead Time
We send 100 to 500 g free for your own laboratory to test and you cover only the courier, usually within 2 to 3 working days. ETD is usually within 7 to 15 days once the order is confirmed, and we check that date against the factory's own manufacturing schedule before we give it to you.
Combined Shipment
We can load Ethyl-2-Methylbutyrate together with other ingredients such as Capsicum Oleoresin, Ethyl Maltol and White Pepper into one 20' FCL. If your quantity is small, we can also ship LCL.
Regulatory Status
Ethyl-2-Methylbutyrate is approved as a flavouring substance in essentially every regulated market.
FEMA has assigned GRAS number 2443 for use as a flavour in food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration permits the substance under 21 CFR 172.515 as a synthetic flavouring agent, and the natural form is recognised as a natural flavour under 21 CFR 101.22.
The European Food Safety Authority evaluated the molecule within flavouring group FGE.09 and concluded that no safety concern arises at current intake. It carries FL number 09.046 in the Union list of flavouring substances.
The Council of Europe lists it under number 165. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare permits the substance as a synthetic flavouring agent.
JECFA evaluated the compound in the simple aliphatic esters group and raised no objection. Reference standards are stocked by the major analytical suppliers.
Manufacturing Process
Ethyl-2-Methylbutyrate is made by direct esterification of 2-methylbutyric acid with ethanol.
The nature-identical synthetic route uses a mineral acid catalyst, typically sulphuric or p-toluenesulfonic acid, in a continuous reactor with azeotropic removal of water. Crude ester is washed, neutralised, dried, and fractionally distilled to a final purity above 99 percent.
The natural route uses lipase enzymes, often immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B, to catalyse the same esterification under mild solvent-free conditions. Both substrates are sourced from fermentation or natural extraction, which qualifies the product as natural under U.S. 21 CFR 101.22 and EU Regulation 1334/2008.
Producers include Symrise, Givaudan, IFF, BASF, and several Chinese flavour houses. Volume is modest in absolute terms but the molecule is a high-value, low-dose ingredient.
