Flavor ingredient regulatory record
Dihydronootkatone
Dihydronootkatone is a ketone in the fruity family, FEMA GRAS under FEMA number 3776 (CAS 20489-53-6). Its odor is sweet, citrus, woody, earthy, floral.
- FEMA
- 3776
- CAS
- 20489-53-6
- JECFA
- 1407
- EU FL
- 07.153
- Formula
- C15H24O
GRAS status: FEMA GRAS, publication 16. Recorded by FDA in the Substances Added to Food inventory under CAS 20489-53-6.
Structure
Identity
Also known as: 2(1H)-Naphthalenone, octahydro-4,4a-dimethyl-6-(1-methylethenyl)-, (4R,4aS,6R,8aS)-, 4βH,5α-Eremophil-11-en-2-one, 2(1H)-Naphthalenone, octahydro-4,4a-dimethyl-6-(1-methylethenyl)-, [4R-(4α,4aα,6β,8aβ)]-, (4R,4aS,6R,8aS)-Octahydro-4,4a-dimethyl-6-(1-methylethenyl)-2(1H)-naphthalenone, 1,10-Dihydronootkatone, (4R,4AS,6R,8aS)-4,4a-dimethyl-6-(prop-1-en-2-yl)octahydronaphthalen-2(1H)-one, 1,10-dihydronootkatone, 4,4a-dimethyl-6-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,3,4,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydronaphthalen-2-one, 1,10-dihyronootkatone, (4r,4as,6r)-4,4a-dimethyl-6-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,3,4,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydronaphthalen-2-one.
Can Dihydronootkatone be labeled natural?
Dihydronootkatone occurs in nature, so the label depends on the route: dihydronootkatone won from a natural source by a physical, enzymatic or microbiological process is natural flavor in the United States, and synthesized dihydronootkatone is artificial. The EU and UK follow the same logic without a middle class; Mercosur and Mexico label synthetic dihydronootkatone identical-to-natural.
- United States
- Natural or artificial, by process
- European Union and UK
- Natural only from natural material
- Mercosur and Mexico
- Natural or identical-to-natural
How each market defines the classes: natural vs artificial flavor under 21 CFR 101.22.
Regulatory status, with citations
United States
Dihydronootkatone is FEMA GRAS under FEMA number 3776. It is cited in the Code of Federal Regulations at 21 CFR 172.515.
European Union and United Kingdom
Listed on the Union List of flavouring substances as FL 07.153, Annex I Part A under Regulation (EC) 1334/2008, evaluation status approved (EFSA). The UK retains the same list.
Purity. At least 90%; secondary component 5-6% nootkatone
JECFA (WHO / FAO)
JECFA number 1407, evaluated at the 63rd meeting in 2004. No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent.
Other US flags
Not on the California Proposition 65 list.
Odor and taste
Odor: Sweet, citrus, woody, earthy, floral.
Where it is used
Dihydronootkatone is used in beverage, confection, fruit flavors and flavoring agents, typically as a fruity note.
Structurally similar flavor ingredients
Flavor ingredients with a GRAS determination closest to Dihydronootkatone by structure. Whether one can replace it is a sensory and regulatory call; the reformulation tool works that through.
| Material | FEMA | Similarity | Occurrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nootkatone 50% | 4988 | 95% | In nature |
| Nootkatone | 3166 | 95% | In nature |
| Dehydronootkatone | 4091 | 89% | In nature |
| alpha-iso-Methylionone | 2714 | 77% | In nature |
| beta-Isomethylionone | 4151 | 75% | In nature |
More ketones in this index
2-Acetyl-4-isopropylpyridine · 4-Methylheptan-3-one · 1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-1-penten-3-one · Methyl 2-pyrrolyl ketone · trans-alpha-Damascone · Mixture of 3-Hydroxy-5-methyl-2-hexanone and 2-Hydroxy-5-methyl-3-hexanone
Dihydronootkatone FAQ
Is dihydronootkatone on the FEMA GRAS list?
It is. FEMA number 3776 covers dihydronootkatone. It is also codified at 21 CFR 172.515.
What is the FEMA number for dihydronootkatone?
The FEMA number for dihydronootkatone is 3776 and its CAS registry number is 20489-53-6. FEMA files it in the fruity flavor category.
Is dihydronootkatone natural or artificial?
Since dihydronootkatone is found in nature, US labeling follows how it was obtained: natural flavor from a natural source and a natural process, artificial when dihydronootkatone is synthesized. The EU and UK follow the same logic without a middle class; Mercosur and Mexico label synthetic dihydronootkatone identical-to-natural.
Is dihydronootkatone approved in the EU?
Dihydronootkatone is on the EU Union List of flavouring substances as FL 07.153 (Annex I Part A) under Regulation 1334/2008.
Has JECFA evaluated dihydronootkatone?
Yes. JECFA number 1407, evaluated at the 63rd meeting in 2004. Conclusion: No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent.
What is dihydronootkatone used for?
Dihydronootkatone is described as sweet, citrus, woody, earthy, floral. It shows up in beverage, confection, fruit flavors and flavoring agents.
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Sources and attribution. The identity and regulatory facts on this page are taken from the FDA Substances Added to Food inventory, a US government record, which lists this substance as DIHYDRONOOTKATONE under CAS 20489-53-6 and carries its FEMA number, its JECFA flavor number. The inventory is searchable at FDA. FDA records its technical effect as flavoring agent or adjuvant.
A FEMA GRAS conclusion is reached by the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States, and the FEMA number names that conclusion. FEMA publishes its own entry for this substance in the FEMA Flavor Library, which is the authoritative record of what the Panel decided and is worth reading alongside this page.
Ambrose Compliance is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by FEMA. FEMA and FEMA GRAS are used here as identifiers for a published regulatory determination, not as marks of any relationship between FEMA and Ambrose.
About this page. Facts come from the FDA Substances Added to Food inventory, the Code of Federal Regulations, the EPA TSCA Inventory, the EU Union List, JECFA and the Ambrose database, with FEMA's published determination cited where it applies; parts of the text are written by Ambrose AI, which can make mistakes. Check the cited source before relying on anything here. This is not regulatory or legal advice.