Propyl gallate (CAS 121-79-9) — Balsamic N/A Note Fragrance Ingredient
Propyl gallate
CAS 121-79-9
What Is Propyl gallate?
Propyl gallate is a synthetic antioxidant commonly used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals to prevent spoilage. You’ll find it in processed foods, skincare products, and some fragrances as a preservative. While not a primary scent ingredient, it plays a crucial role in product stability by preventing oxidation that could alter fragrances over time.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Propyl gallate Smell Like?
Propyl gallate has a faint phenolic odor with waxy undertones, reminiscent of old books or dried tea leaves. The scent profile is subtle and non-descript, serving more functional than olfactory purposes. In formulations, its aroma is typically masked by other ingredients, leaving no discernible trace in the final fragrance composition.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCOC(=O)C1=CC(O)=C(O)C(O)=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Propyl gallate is an ester formed from gallic acid and propanol. As a synthetic phenolic antioxidant, it functions by donating hydrogen atoms to free radicals, thereby terminating oxidation chain reactions. Industrially produced through esterification of gallic acid with n-propanol, it’s part of a family of gallate esters used as preservatives. The compound shows moderate polarity with limited volatility.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Melting Point | 150 °C |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water, soluble in ethanol |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics | 0.01-0.1% | Up to 0.5% | Antioxidant preservative |
| Food Products | 0.02% | Up to 0.1% | Fat stabilizer |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use minimal effective concentrations to avoid potential sensitization while maintaining product stability.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More potent antioxidant with higher thermal stability but greater regulatory scrutiny.
Natural vitamin E antioxidant preferred for clean-label formulations despite lower efficacy.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA, but usage should comply with regional cosmetic regulations.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has reviewed propyl gallate’s safety profile, recommending limited concentrations in leave-on products.
Sustainability
As a synthetic compound, propyl gallate production relies on petrochemical feedstocks. While effective at low concentrations, its environmental persistence is moderate. Some manufacturers are exploring bio-based production routes using microbial fermentation of plant-derived phenolics.
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References
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2014). Scientific Opinion on Propyl Gallate. EFSA Journal. EFSA Journal 12(4):3642
- NTP (1982). Technical Report on the Toxicology of Propyl Gallate. NTP TR 240
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 121-79-9Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 212.2 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.8🔬 PubChem |
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 186.7 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.716💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCOC(=O)C1=CC(=C(C(=C1)O)O)O🔬 PubChem |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | odorless• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterphenoletheraromatic💻 RDKit |
| “Practically odorless when pure, but some commercial products may carry a faintly dry-medicinal odor.”📖 Arctander | |
| Propyl gallate is an odorless powder having a slightly bitter taste. It functions particularly well in stabilizing animal fats and vegetable oils. With a melting point of 148∞C, propyl gallate loses its effectiveness during heat processing and is therefore not suitable in frying applications that involve temperatures exceeding 190∞C. Propyl gallate chelates iron ions and forms an unappealing, blue–black complex. Hence, it is always used with chelators such as citric acid to eliminate the pro-oxidative iron and copper catalysts. Good synergism is obtained with BHA and BHT; however, application with TBHQ is not permitted. For additional details, refer to Burdock (1997).📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Aqueous solutions of higher than 10 ppm concentration have a perceptibly bitter taste, or bitter-metallic taste and mouthfeel. The material is tasteless in the concentrations recommended for finished products. This ester is not an active flavor or perfume material, but it serves as an important Anti”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2947⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID5021201
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 212.201 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.258 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 363.6 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 142.636 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 184.693 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.596 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 155.629 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.8 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.918 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.564 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.32 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.016 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 14.625 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 51.459 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 166.304 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 86.99 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 5 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 52.937 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 20.986 Å^3📊 OPERA |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
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