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dimethyl tetrasulfide

Dimethyl tetrasulfide is a sulfur-containing compound used as a flavoring agent with characteristic garlic and meaty odor notes.
Chemical Structure

General Material Description

Dimethyl tetrasulfide is an organosulfur compound with the molecular formula C2H6S4. It appears as a sulfurous odorant characteristic of garlic and meaty aromas. Known by several synonyms including 1,4-dimethyltetrasulfane and methyldisulfanyldisulfanylmethane, this compound is naturally present in various Allium species and related food products. As an important flavor constituent, dimethyl tetrasulfide contributes to the sensory profile of garlic, onion, and cooked meats. Reliable chemical data and structural information are accessible in public databases such as PubChem. It is typically derived from natural sources or through controlled synthesis for use as a flavoring agent.

Occurrence, Applicability & Potential Uses

Dimethyl tetrasulfide naturally occurs in many Allium plants including garlic and onion bulbs, as well as in heated beef, beer, cocoa, hop oil, shiitake mushrooms, and blood orange oil. It plays a significant role in imparting characteristic sulfurous and meaty notes to these products. Its application primarily encompasses flavoring purposes, enhancing garlic, meat, and onion flavor profiles in foods. According to standards such as FEMA (US), it is recognized for flavoring use with specified usage levels in various food categories to ensure quality and consistency. Its presence also contributes to the sensory complexity of certain beverages and processed foodstuffs.

Physico-Chemical Properties Summary

Dimethyl tetrasulfide exhibits a moderate molecular weight of approximately 158.33 g/mol and a chemical formula of C2H6S4. It has a specific gravity ranging from 1.303 to 1.309 at 25 °C, indicating it is denser than water. The compound’s refractive index varies between 1.658 and 1.664 at 20 °C. It has low vapor pressure (0.051 mmHg at 25 °C), reflecting modest volatility, and a vapor density significantly higher than air (5.4 times). Its estimated logP value around 2.49 denotes moderate lipophilicity, contributing to solubility in alcohol and limited solubility in water (~1751 mg/L at 25 °C estimated). The flash point is approximately 74 °C (163 °F), requiring careful handling during formulation. These properties influence the compound’s behavior in flavor development and stability in food matrices.

FAQ

What is dimethyl tetrasulfide and where does it naturally occur?
Dimethyl tetrasulfide is an organosulfur compound characterized by a sulfurous, garlic-like odor. It naturally occurs in plants of the Allium genus such as garlic and onion. Additionally, it is found in several food products including heated beef, beer, cocoa, shiitake mushrooms, and hop oil. Its presence contributes distinct flavor notes commonly associated with cooked meats and sulfurous vegetables.
How is dimethyl tetrasulfide used in flavoring and in which foods is it commonly found?
Dimethyl tetrasulfide is employed mainly as a flavoring agent to impart garlic, onion, and meaty flavor characteristics in various food products. Its use includes seasoning formulations for meat products, processed vegetables, dairy products, confectionery, and beverages including beer. Usage levels are closely controlled according to regulatory standards to maintain flavor consistency without overpowering the food product.
What safety regulations and standards apply to dimethyl tetrasulfide in flavor applications?
Dimethyl tetrasulfide is subject to evaluation and regulation by authorities such as FEMA (US) and EFSA (EU). It is classified as harmful if swallowed and irritating to eyes, skin, and respiratory system, requiring appropriate handling precautions. Usage levels in food are limited by Commission Regulation EC No. 1565/2000 for different food categories to ensure consumer safety. Additionally, safety data call for the use of protective clothing and avoidance of ingestion or contact during handling.

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

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Other Information

General Material Information

Preferred name dimethyl tetrasulfide
Trivial Name Dimethyl tetrasulfide
Short Description tetrasulfide, dimethyl
Formula C2 H6 S4
CAS Number 5756-24-1
Deleted CAS Number 85931-55-1
ECHA Number 227-278-8
FDA UNII Search
Nikkaji Number J45.908I
COE Number 11459
xLogP3-AA 1.80 (est)
NMR Predictor External link
Synonyms
  • dimethyl tetrasulphide
  • 1,4-dimethyltetrasulfane
  • methyldisulfanyldisulfanylmethane
  • tetrasulfide, dimethyl
  • Methyl tetrasulfide
  • 2,3,4,5-Tetrathiahexane
  • (Methyltetrasulfanyl)methane
  • 1,4-Dimethyltetrasulfane

PhysChem Properties

Material listed in food chemical codex No
Molecular weight 158.32981872559
Specific gravity @ 25 °C
Pounds per Gallon 10.842 to 10.892
Refractive Index 1.658 to 1.664 @ 20 °C
Vapor Pressure 0.051 mmHg @ 25 °C
Vapor Density 5.4
Flash Point TCC Value 72.78 °C TCC
logP (o/w) 2.49 est
Solubility
alcohol Yes
water, 1751 mg/L @ 25 °C (est) Yes
water No

Organoleptic Properties

Odor Type: Sulfurous
garlic, meaty, sulfurous
General comment At 0.10 % in propylene glycol. garlic meaty

Occurrences

Potential Uses

Applications
Flavoring purposes Garlic , Meat , Onion

Safety Information

Safety information

European information :
Most important hazard(s):
Xn - Harmful.
R 22 - Harmful if swallowed.
R 36/37/38 - Irritating to eyes, respiratory system, and skin.
S 02 - Keep out of the reach of children.
S 20/21 - When using do not eat, drink or smoke.
S 24/25 - Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
S 26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
S 36/37/39 - Wear suitable clothing, gloves 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:
flavoring agents
Recommendation for dimethyl tetrasulfide usage levels up to:
not for fragrance use.
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-EU): 0.016 (μg/capita/day)
Modified Theoretical Added Maximum Daily Intake (mTAMDI): 46 (μg/person/day)
Threshold of Concern:1800 (μg/person/day)
Structure Class: I
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): 0.200001.00000
Fats and oils, and fat emulsions (type water-in-oil) (02.0): 0.100000.50000
Edible ices, including sherbet and sorbet (03.0): 0.200001.00000
Processed fruit (04.1): 0.200001.00000
Processed vegetables (incl. mushrooms & fungi, roots & tubers, pulses and legumes), and nuts & seeds (04.2): --
Confectionery (05.0): 0.200001.00000
Chewing gum (05.3): --
Cereals and cereal products, incl. flours & starches from roots & tubers, pulses & legumes, excluding bakery (06.0): 0.100000.50000
Bakery wares (07.0): 0.200001.00000
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): 0.100000.20000
Eggs and egg products (10.0): --
Sweeteners, including honey (11.0): --
Salts, spices, soups, sauces, salads, protein products, etc. (12.0): 0.100000.50000
Foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses (13.0): 0.200001.00000
Non-alcoholic ("soft") beverages, excl. dairy products (14.1): --
Alcoholic beverages, incl. alcohol-free and low-alcoholic counterparts (14.2): 0.200001.00000
Ready-to-eat savouries (15.0): 0.400002.00000
Composite foods (e.g. casseroles, meat pies, mincemeat) - foods that could not be placed in categories 01.0 - 15.0 (16.0): 0.100000.50000

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
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Flavouring Group Evaluation 74 (FGE.74)[1]: Consideration of Simple Aliphatic Sulphides and Thiols evaluated by JECFA (61st meeting) Structurally related to Aliphatic and Alicyclic Mono-, Di-, Tri-, and Polysulphides with or without Additional Oxygenated Functional Groups from Chemical Group 20 evaluated by EFSA in FGE.08 (2008)
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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
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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)
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Flavouring Group Evaluation 08 Rev2 (FGE.08 Rev2): Aliphatic and alicyclic mono-, di-, tri-, and polysulphides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups from chemical groups 20 and 30
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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 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

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 08, Revision 5 (FGE.08Rev5): 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

EPI System: View
AIDS Citations:Search
Cancer Citations:Search
Toxicology Citations:Search
EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):5756-24-1
EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry
Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary :79828
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data
WGK Germany:3
methyldisulfanyldisulfanylmethane
Chemidplus:0005756241