Chemical Properties
Benzyl isobutyrate has a fresh, floral, somewhat jasmine-like, fruity odor and sweet, strawberry-like taste.
Occurrence
Reported found in mint, spearmint, beer, cherimoya (Annona cherimolia Mill.) and Passiflora edulis
hybrid juice.
Uses
Useful in fruity-spicy-herbaceous fragrance types, in Gardenia, Jasmin, Rose bases, etc., in trace amounts or in higher concentration if used as a modifier for Benzyl acetate. Occasionally used in flavour compositions, mainly in imitation Banana, Raspberry, Strawberry, and in “Tutti-frutti” flavour. Concentrations are usually about 25 ppm in the finished product.
Definition
ChEBI: Phenylmethyl 2-methylpropanoate is a carboxylic ester. It is functionally related to a benzyl alcohol.
Preparation
May be prepared from benzyl alcohol and isobutyric acid, by the action of aluminum ethylate on a mixture of benzyl and
butyric aldehydes.
Taste threshold values
Taste characteristics at 10 ppm: fruity and sweet with ripe berry nuances.
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
