3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4h-pyran-4-one (also named as Maltol, Larixinic acid, Palatone and Veltol) is a natural compound. Maltol is found in chicory, roasted malt, breads, milk, heated butter, uncured smoked pork, cocoa, coffee, roasted barley, roasted peanuts, roasted filbert, soybean, in the bark of larch tree, in pine needles, and in roasted malt (from which it gets its name) etc. It has the odor of cotton candy and caramel.
Maltol is widely used as flavor enhancer to improve mouthfeel and to enhance flavor of candy and baked foods in food production and of soft drinks in beverage industry. It is used as intermediate in pharmaceutical for medicine manufacturing. It is used as flavoring agent in cosmetic and personal care industries to enhance flavor. According to FEEDAP Panel, maltol is safe to be added to feed for all animal species at the normal use level of 5 mg/kg feed.
