4-vinyl guaiacol

900 µg per capsule

“Phenolic, like cloves or wheat beer”

Certified soft drinks flavour standard used to train professional tasters to recognize and scale the intensity of phenolic character. 4-Vinyl guaiacol arises through metabolism of plant-derived phenolic compounds by contaminant yeasts and moulds. The compound imparts a spicy note, reminiscent of cloves and German wheat beer.

Food grade | free from sensory impurities | extensively tested | safe to smell and taste.

  • Label image
  • Chemical structure

Flavour cards

Flavour standard information

Technical specification

Assessment
The best way to evaluate spicy flavours in soft drinks from 4-vinyl guaiacol is as follows. Cover the sample with your hand and swirl the glass to release the aroma. Remove your hand and take a single long sniff. Repeat as necessary.
Amount of flavour per capsule
900 µg per capsule
Threshold
The flavour threshold of 4-vinyl guaiacol in soft drinks is 300 µg / l.
Origins
4-Vinyl guaiacol arises through decarboxylation of ferulic acid by contaminant yeasts and moulds. Ferulic acid is a common constituent of food and beverages originating from plant cell wall materials.
Importance
4-Vinyl guaiacol Imparts an unusual spicy note to soft drinks, which is reminiscent of cloves or German wheat beer. Since it is produced in soft drinks and juices by contaminant yeast and moulds, other metabolites (such as styrene) may also be formed.
CAS registry number
The CAS registry number for 4-vinyl guaiacol is 7786-61-0.
Other names
  • 4-vinyl-2-methoxyphenol
  • 4-ethenyl-2-methoxyphenol
  • 2-hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene
  • 4-hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene
  • 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyvinyl benzene
  • 2-methoxy-4-vinyl phenol
  • varamol
  • para-vinyl catechol-ortho-methyl ether
  • p-vinyl guaiacol
  • vinylguaiacol
  • para-vinyl guaiacol
Remarks
Yeasts and mould which produce 4-vinyl guaiacol (4-VG) possess the phenyl acrylate decarboxylase (PAD) gene. The enzyme associated with this gene produces 4-VG from ferulic acid. It is also responsible for production of a plastic like flavour from styrene from coumaric acid, and a kerosine-like flavour from 1,3-pentadiene from the preservative sorbic acid.
Threshold distribution
Graph
Capsules per pot
10
Legal notices
This product is protected by the following trade marks and patents:
  • US Patent no. D679900
  • European Community Trade Mark
    Registration no. 009937574
  • European Community Trade Mark
    Registration no. 009856527
  • US Trade Mark Registration no. 4345057
  • US Trade Mark Registration no. 4345056
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