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buchu mercaptan

Buchu mercaptan is a sulfur-containing flavor and fragrance compound known for its strong fruity, berry, and minty notes with blackcurrant nuances.
Chemical Structure

General Material Description

Buchu mercaptan, also known as p-mentha-8-thiol-3-one, is an organosulfur compound with molecular formula C10H18OS. It appears as a liquid with a strong sulfurous odor characterized by fruity, minty, and berry-like notes reminiscent of blackcurrant and tropical fruits. This compound is referenced in public chemical databases such as PubChem and is commonly sourced as a flavor and fragrance ingredient. It serves as an important synthetic replacement for buchu leaf oil and is used to impart distinct sulfurous and fruity aromas in various applications.

Occurrence, Applicability & Potential Uses

Buchu mercaptan occurs naturally in buchu leaf oil and is valued for its intense sulfurous and fruity aroma profile. The compound is used primarily as a flavoring agent in products such as beverages, bakery items, confectionery, and desserts, often to enhance blackcurrant, berry, and tropical fruit notes. It also finds applications as a perfuming agent in fragrances. Usage guidelines are regulated under standards such as FEMA (US), with a FEMA number of 3177. Its distinctive organosulfur character offers formulators a potent tool for replicating complex fruity and herbal notes found in nature.

Physico-Chemical Properties Summary

Buchu mercaptan has a molecular weight of approximately 186 g/mol and shows moderate lipophilicity with an estimated logP of 2.624. It is a liquid with specific gravity close to water, ranging between 0.995 and 1.01 at 25°C. The refractive index varies between 1.492 and 1.509 at 20°C. It has a low vapor pressure of 0.006 mmHg at 25°C and boils between 56 to 62°C at reduced pressure (0.1 mmHg). The compound is soluble in alcohol and slightly soluble in water. It has a flash point of 108°C (227°F), indicating moderate flammability risk. Proper storage in cool, dry, well-sealed containers protected from heat and light extends its shelf life beyond 12 months. These properties influence its handling and formulation in flavors and fragrances.

FAQ

What is buchu mercaptan and what are its characteristic sensory properties?
Buchu mercaptan, known chemically as p-mentha-8-thiol-3-one, is a sulfur-containing organic compound widely used for its distinctive aroma. It exhibits a high-intensity sulfurous odor combined with fruity, minty, berry, and tropical notes. The scent profile includes blackcurrant nuances and a cooling green character. This combination makes it valuable in flavor and fragrance formulations where a potent, complex sulfurous-fruity aroma is desired.
How and where is buchu mercaptan used, and from what is it derived?
Buchu mercaptan is used mainly as a flavoring and fragrance ingredient to add or replicate sulfurous, berry, and tropical fruit aromas. It naturally occurs in buchu leaf oil, derived from the leaves of the buchu plant. Its applications include beverages, bakery products, confectionery, desserts, and perfuming agents. Usage levels are carefully controlled to balance potency and safety according to established standards, ensuring its effective incorporation into complex aromatic blends.
What regulatory considerations and safety guidelines apply to buchu mercaptan?
Buchu mercaptan is regulated under FEMA (US) standards where it holds FEMA number 3177 and is categorized for usage in flavor formulations with specific maximum concentration limits. Safety assessments, including those by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA Global) and other regulatory bodies, outline recommended use levels, typically not exceeding 0.5% in fragrance concentrates. It is classified as harmful if swallowed and irritant to skin and eyes, requiring appropriate handling precautions such as storage in sealed containers away from heat and light. Comprehensive safety reviews are available from authoritative sources including EFSA (EU) and JECFA.

US / EU / FDA / JECFA / FEMA / Scholar / Patents

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Other Information

(IUPAC):Atomic Weights of the Elements 2011 (pdf)
Videos:The Periodic Table of Videos
tgsc:Atomic Weights use for this web site
(IUPAC):Periodic Table of the Elements
FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS):View
CHEMBL:View
HMDB (The Human Metabolome Database):HMDB37385
FooDB:FDB016426
Export Tariff Code:2930.90.9190
VCF-Online:VCF Volatile Compounds in Food
ChemSpider:View
FAO:p-Mentha-8-thiol-3-one

General Material Information

Preferred name buchu mercaptan
Trivial Name p-Mentha-8-thiol-3-one
Short Description p-mentha-8-thiol-3-one
Formula C10 H18 O S
CAS Number 38462-22-5
FEMA Number 3177
Flavis Number 12.038
ECHA Number 253-953-1
FDA UNII 9BM9FFW27E
Nikkaji Number J294.669F
MDL MFCD00012393
COE Number 11789
xLogP3-AA 2.30 (est)
Bio Activity Summary External link
NMR Predictor External link
JECFA Food Flavoring 561 p-mentha-8-thiol-3-one
FDA Patent No longer provide for the use of these seven synthetic flavoring substances
FDA Mainterm 38462-22-5 ; P-MENTHA-8-THIOL-3-ONE
Synonyms
  • buchu ketone
  • buchu ketone (thiomenthone/ p-menthene-8-thiol-3-one) buchu replacer
  • corps cassis
  • cyclohexanone, 2-(1-mercapto-1-methylethyl)-5-methyl-
  • jallione
  • mangone (IFF)
  • mangone 5% (IFF)
  • natural para mentha 8 thio 3 one -5% ETOH
  • p- mentha-8-thiol-3-one
  • para- mentha-8-thiol-3-one
  • nat p- mentha-8-thiol-3-one (1% in PG)
  • p- mentha-8-thiol-3-one 10% in P.G.
  • p- mentha-8-thiol-3-one natural 1% in propylene glycol
  • p- mentha-8-thiol-3-one natural 10% in propylene glycol
  • p- mentha-8-thiol-3-one natural 5% in propylene glycol
  • p- menthan-8-thiol-3-one
  • p- menthane-8-thiol-3-one
  • p- menthon-8-thiol
  • p- menthone-8-thiol
  • 8-mercapato-p-menthane-3-one
  • mercapto menthone natural
  • 2-(1-mercapto-1-methyl ethyl)-5-methyl cyclohexan-1-one
  • 2-(1-mercapto-1-methylethyl)-5-methylcyclohexan-1-one
  • 8-mercapto-3-p-menthanone
  • 8-mercapto-p-menthan-3-one
  • 8-mercapto-p-menthane-3-one
  • 8-mercapto-para-menthan-3-one
  • 8-mercapto-para-menthane-3-one
  • mercaptoisopropyl-5-methyl cyclohexanone
  • mercaptoisopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanone
  • 8-mercaptomenthone
  • 2-(2-mercaptopropan-2-yl)-5-methylcyclohexanone
  • 5-methyl-2-(1-methyl-1-sulfanylethyl)cyclohexan-1-one
  • 5-methyl-2-(1-methyl-1-sulfanylethyl)cyclohexanone
  • 5-methyl-2-(2-sulfanylpropan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-one
  • 5-methyl-2-(2-sulfanylpropan-2-yl)cyclohexanone
  • pulegone mercaptan
  • pulegone mercaptan synthetic
  • ribes mercaptan (PFW)
  • ribes mercaptan 1% (PFW)
  • thio menthone 1% in ETOH natural
  • thio menthone 1% in PG natural
  • thio menthone 5% in ETOH natural
  • thio menthone natural
  • thiomenthone
  • 8-thiomenthone
  • thiomenthone 0.1% in BB
  • thiomenthone 0.1% in DEP
  • thiomenthone 0.1% in DPG
  • 8-thiomenthone 90% Natural
  • thiomenthone natural
  • thiomenthone pure
  • 5-methyl-2-(2-sulfanylpropan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-one
  • 2-(1-Mercapto-1-methylethyl)-5-methylcyclohexanone
  • Mangone
  • p-Mentha-8-thiol-3-one
  • 2-(2-Mercaptopropan-2-yl)-5-methylcyclohexan-1-one
  • 2-(2-Mercaptopropan-2-yl)-5-methylcyclohexanone
  • 8-Mercaptomenthone

PhysChem Properties

Material listed in food chemical codex No
Molecular weight 186.3176574707
Specific gravity @ 25 °C
Pounds per Gallon 8.279 to 8.404
Refractive Index 1.492 to 1.509 @ 20 °C
Boiling Point 56 to 62°C @ 0.1 mm Hg
Vapor Pressure 0.006 mmHg @ 25 °C
Flash Point TCC Value 108.33 °C TCC
logP (o/w) 2.624 est
Shelf life 12 months (or longer if stored properly.)
Storage notes Store in cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers, protected from heat and light.
Solubility
alcohol Yes
water, 218.4 mg/L @ 25 °C (est) Yes
water No

Organoleptic Properties

Odor Type: Sulfurous
sulfurous, minty, green, fruity, berry, buchu, tropical, peach, raspberry
Odor strength high , recommend smelling in a 1.00 % solution or less
Substantivity > 120 hour(s) at 100.00 %
Luebke, William tgsc, (2002) At 1.00 % in dipropylene glycol. sulfury minty green fruity berry buchu fruity tropical peach
Mosciano, Gerard P&F 22, No. 3, 47, (1997) Fruity, berry and tropical with a raspberry, minty nuance
Flavor Type: Sulfurous
sulfurous, alliaceous, green, tropical, currant bud black currant bud
Mosciano, Gerard P&F 22, No. 3, 47, (1997) At 50.00 ppm. Sulfurous, alliaceous, green and tropical with rich body, blackcurrant nuances
Used in blackcurrant, grape, and berry flavours; in desserts at up to 6ppm, bakery and soft confections at 1-2ppm, and in beverages at 0.2ppm to 0.4ppm. Minty
General comment , fruity, buchu-like, with a cooling green tropical nuance; characteristic cassis

Occurrences

Safety Information

Safety information

Preferred SDS: View
European information :
Most important hazard(s):
Xn N - Harmful, Dangerous for the environment.
R 22 - Harmful if swallowed.
R 36/38 - Irritating to skin and eyes.
S 02 - Keep out of the reach of children.
S 20/21 - When using do not eat, drink or smoke.
S 26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
S 36/39 - Wear suitable clothing and eye/face protection.
Hazards identification
Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
None found.
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Hazard statement(s)
None found.
Precautionary statement(s)
None found.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
Not determined
Dermal Toxicity:
Not determined
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
flavor and fragrance agents
RIFM Fragrance Material Safety Assessment: Search
IFRA Code of Practice Notification of the 49th Amendment to the IFRA Code of Practice
Recommendation for buchu mercaptan usage levels up to:
0.5000 % in the fragrance concentrate.
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-EU): 31.00 (μg/capita/day)
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-USA): 2.00 (μg/capita/day)
Modified Theoretical Added Maximum Daily Intake (mTAMDI): 270 (μg/person/day)
Threshold of Concern:90 (μg/person/day)
Structure Class: III
Use levels for FEMA GRAS flavoring substances on which the FEMA Expert Panel based its judgments that the substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
The Expert Panel also publishes separate extensive reviews of scientific information on all FEMA GRAS flavoring substances and can be found at FEMA Flavor Ingredient Library
publication number: 4
Click here to view publication 4
average usual ppmaverage maximum ppm
baked goods: -1.00000
beverages(nonalcoholic): -1.00000
beverages(alcoholic): --
breakfast cereal: --
cheese: --
chewing gum: -1.00000
condiments / relishes: --
confectionery froastings: --
egg products: --
fats / oils: --
fish products: --
frozen dairy: -1.00000
fruit ices: -1.00000
gelatins / puddings: -1.00000
granulated sugar: --
gravies: --
hard candy: -1.00000
imitation dairy: --
instant coffee / tea: --
jams / jellies: --
meat products: --
milk products: --
nut products: --
other grains: --
poultry: --
processed fruits: --
processed vegetables: --
reconstituted vegetables: --
seasonings / flavors: --
snack foods: --
soft candy: --
soups: --
sugar substitutes: --
sweet sauces: --
Food categories according to Commission Regulation EC No. 1565/2000 (EC, 2000) in FGE.06 (EFSA, 2002a). According to the Industry the "normal" use is defined as the average of reported usages and "maximum use" is defined as the 95th percentile of reported usages (EFSA, 2002i).
Note: mg/kg = 0.001/1000 = 0.000001 = 1/1000000 = ppm.
average usage mg/kgmaximum usage mg/kg
Dairy products, excluding products of category 02.0 (01.0): 0.900001.00000
Fats and oils, and fat emulsions (type water-in-oil) (02.0): --
Edible ices, including sherbet and sorbet (03.0): --
Processed fruit (04.1): --
Processed vegetables (incl. mushrooms & fungi, roots & tubers, pulses and legumes), and nuts & seeds (04.2): --
Confectionery (05.0): 0.620001.41000
Chewing gum (05.3): 1.000005.00000
Cereals and cereal products, incl. flours & starches from roots & tubers, pulses & legumes, excluding bakery (06.0): 0.620006.21000
Bakery wares (07.0): 0.620001.41000
Meat and meat products, including poultry and game (08.0): 0.100000.20000
Fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms (MCE) (09.0): --
Eggs and egg products (10.0): --
Sweeteners, including honey (11.0): --
Salts, spices, soups, sauces, salads, protein products, etc. (12.0): --
Foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses (13.0): --
Non-alcoholic ("soft") beverages, excl. dairy products (14.1): 0.400001.00000
Alcoholic beverages, incl. alcohol-free and low-alcoholic counterparts (14.2): 0.100000.20000
Ready-to-eat savouries (15.0): --
Composite foods (e.g. casseroles, meat pies, mincemeat) - foods that could not be placed in categories 01.0 - 15.0 (16.0): --

Safety references

European Food Safety Athority(EFSA):Flavor usage levels; Subacute, Subchronic, Chronic and Carcinogenicity Studies; Developmental / Reproductive Toxicity Studies; Genotoxicity Studies...

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference(s):

Flavouring Group Evaluation 8 (FGE.08)[1]: Aliphatic and alicyclic mono-, di-, tri-, and polysulphides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups from chemical group 20
View page or View pdf

Flavouring Group Evaluation 8, Revision 1 (FGE.08Rev1): Aliphatic and alicyclic mono-, di-, tri-, and polysulphides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups from chemical groups 20 and 30
View page or View pdf

Flavouring Group Evaluation 91 (FGE.91): Consideration of simple aliphatic and aromatic sulphides and thiols evaluated by JECFA (53rd and 68th meetings) structurally related to aliphatic and alicyclic mono-, di-, tri-, and polysulphides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups evaluated by EFSA in FGE.08Rev1 (2009)
View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 8, Revision 3 (FGE.08Rev3): Aliphatic and alicyclic mono-, di-, tri-, and polysulphides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups from chemical groups 20 and 30
View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 91, Revision 1 (FGE.91Rev1): Consideration of simple aliphatic and aromatic sulphides and thiols evaluated by JECFA (53rd and 68th meetings) structurally related to aliphatic and alicyclic mono-, di-, tri-, and polysulphides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups evaluated by EFSA in FGE.08Rev3 (2011)
View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 08, Revision 4 (FGE.08Rev4): Aliphatic and alicyclic mono-, di-, tri-, and polysulphides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups from chemical groups 20 and 30
View page or View pdf

Statement on List of Representative Substances for Testing. The current Statement lays down a list of substances in sub-groups with representative substances for which additional data are required prior to their evaluation through the Procedure (Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000).
View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 91, Revision 2 (FGE.91Rev2): Consideration of simple aliphatic and aromatic sulphides and thiols evaluated by the JECFA (53rd and 68th meetings) structurally related to aliphatic and alicyclic mono-, di-, tri-, and polysulphides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups evaluated by EFSA in FGE.08Rev5 (2012)
View page or View pdf

Safety and efficacy of 8-mercapto-p-menthan-3-one and p-menth-1-ene-8-thiol belonging to chemical group 20 when used as flavourings for all animal species
View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 91, Revision 3 (FGE.91Rev3): consideration of aliphatic, aromatic and a,ß-unsaturated sulfides and thiols evaluated by JECFA (53rd, 61st, 68th and 76th meetings), structurally related to substances in FGE.08Rev5
View page or View pdf

Safety of 31 flavouring compounds belonging to different chemical groups when used as feed additives for all animal species
View page or View pdf

EPI System: View
AIDS Citations:Search
Cancer Citations:Search
Toxicology Citations:Search
EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):38462-22-5
EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry
Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary :61982
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data
WISER:UN 2810
WGK Germany:2
5-methyl-2-(2-sulfanylpropan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-one
Chemidplus:0038462225