Vanillin CAS 121-33-5: Applications, Properties, and Industrial Uses
Explore the multifaceted world of Vanillin, a cornerstone ingredient in flavors and fragrances with diverse industrial applications.
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Vanillin
Vanillin, chemically known as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (CAS 121-33-5), is a principal component of vanilla bean extract and a widely utilized synthetic flavor and fragrance compound. Its characteristic sweet, creamy, and powdery aroma makes it indispensable across numerous sectors.
- Discover the essential chemical properties of vanillin, including its molecular formula C8H8O3 and its role as a phenolic aldehyde.
- Learn about the diverse uses of vanillin in the flavor and fragrance industries, from enhancing sweet profiles to acting as a fixative.
- Understand the different vanillin manufacturing processes, including natural extraction, lignin-based synthesis, and biotechnological methods.
- Explore how vanillin serves as a critical food additive and its impact on various consumer products.
Key Advantages
Versatile Flavor Profile
Vanillin provides a powerful sweet-gourmand profile, offering an intensely creamy and powdery vanilla-like aroma that enhances numerous food and beverage applications, as supported by its extensive use as a flavor agent.
Cost-Effective & Pure
Compared to natural vanilla extract, synthetic vanillin offers greater purity and affordability, making it a practical choice for large-scale flavor and fragrance production.
Broad Industrial Applicability
Beyond food and beverages, vanillin is utilized in perfumery, pharmaceuticals, and even industrial masking, demonstrating its versatility as a chemical intermediate and aroma compound.
Key Applications
Flavoring
As a primary flavor agent, vanillin is essential in ice cream, chocolate, baked goods, and beverages, contributing its signature sweet and creamy notes to a vast array of products.
Fragrance
In perfumery, vanillin acts as a sweetening agent and fixative, lending a warm, comforting, and tenacious vanilla character to oriental, gourmand, and floral fragrances.
Pharmaceuticals
Vanillin is employed in pharmaceutical formulations to mask unpleasant tastes and odors in medications like cough syrups, improving patient compliance.
Cosmetics & Personal Care
Its pleasant aroma makes vanillin a popular ingredient in perfumes, lotions, toothpaste, and other personal care items.