Isoamyl Isovalerate
Isoamyl Isovalerate is a clear, colourless liquid with a sweet, fruity aroma that combines ripe apple, pineapple, and a soft honeyed background.
The compound has the molecular formula C₁₀H₂₀O₂ and CAS number 659-70-1. It is the isoamyl (3-methylbutyl) ester of isovaleric acid (3-methylbutanoic acid) and serves as a popular fruity-sweet flavour ingredient.
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- Packaging
- 250 kg plastic drum or 1,000 kg IBC tote
- ISO 9001
- HACCP
- Halal
- Kosher
Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid |
| Odour | Sweet fruity, ripe apple and pineapple with a soft honeyed background |
| Assay (by GC) | ≥ 98.0% |
| Ester Content (by saponification) | ≥ 97.0% |
| Specific Gravity (25 °C/25 °C) | 0.850 – 0.860 |
| Refractive Index (20 °C) | 1.4130 – 1.4180 |
| Acid Value | ≤ 1.0 mg KOH/g |
| Colour (APHA) | ≤ 20 |
| Boiling Range | 190 °C – 200 °C |
| Solubility in Ethanol (20 °C) | Clear solution in 3 volumes of 90% ethanol |
| Solubility in Water | Practically insoluble |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 mg/kg |
| Lead | ≤ 1.0 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤ 1.0 mg/kg |
Common Markets Grades
Isoamyl Isovalerate trades in two flavour grades, one standard and one of higher purity.
The standard commercial quality carries a minimum assay of 98 percent and meets the Food Chemicals Codex monograph. Controls cover acid value, refractive index, specific gravity, and colour in APHA units.
A premium 99 percent grade is produced for applications where minimal residual isovaleric acid is required, since trace free acid can produce a sweaty, cheesy off-note over shelf life.
Packaging is normally in lined steel drums and epoxy-lined IBCs. Kosher and Halal certifications are routinely available.
Applications
- Apple flavour systems for hard candy, chewy candy, and beverage applications
- Pineapple and tropical fruit accords as a rounded ester base
- Banana flavour compositions for confectionery and dairy products
- Pear and quince flavour blends in beverage and bakery use
- Cherry, plum, and stone-fruit flavour compositions
- Berry compositions including strawberry and raspberry as a fruity lift
- Rum and brandy flavour reconstructions for confectionery and ice cream
- Tutti-frutti and exotic fruit cocktail flavours
- Dairy applications including yogurt, ice cream, and flavoured milk
- Bakery applications for fruit fillings, cake mixes, and frostings
- Tobacco flavour blends as a sweet fruity modifier
- Fine fragrance and personal care for fruity top notes
How We Help Source Isoamyl Isovalerate
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 Isoamyl Isovalerate 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 Isoamyl Isovalerate 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
Isoamyl Isovalerate is accepted as a flavouring substance worldwide.
FEMA has assigned GRAS number 2085 for use as a flavour in food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration permits the substance as a synthetic flavouring agent under 21 CFR 172.515.
The European Food Safety Authority evaluated the molecule within flavouring group FGE.09 and concluded that no safety concern arises at current intake levels. It carries FL number 09.463 in the Union list of flavourings.
JECFA reviewed the substance within the simple aliphatic esters group and raised no objection. The Council of Europe lists the molecule under number 60.
Japan permits the substance under its synthetic flavour regulation. Pharmacopoeial monographs are not maintained because the substance is not used as a drug substance. Reference standards exist from the principal analytical suppliers.
Manufacturing Process
Isoamyl Isovalerate is made by direct esterification of isovaleric acid with isoamyl alcohol.
The reaction is run under acid catalysis with sulphuric or p-toluenesulfonic acid, often with an azeotropic entrainer to drive water out of the equilibrium. Both feedstocks are commodity materials. Isoamyl alcohol is a major component of fusel oil from ethanol fermentation, while isovaleric acid is produced industrially by oxidation of isoamyl alcohol or by fermentation.
The crude product is neutralised, washed, dried, and fractionally distilled under reduced pressure to remove unreacted alcohol, residual acid, and high-boiling impurities.
A natural-grade variant is produced by enzymatic esterification using immobilized lipase on bio-derived feedstocks. This route qualifies the product as natural under U.S. and EU labelling rules and commands a premium for natural-flavour compositions.
Major producers include Symrise, IFF, Bedoukian, and several Chinese flavour manufacturers.
