3-Mercapto-2-Pentanone (CAS 67633-97-0) | Food-Grade Savory & Meat Flavor Enhancer

3-Mercapto-2-pentanone (CAS 67633-97-0) is a highly impactful sulfur-containing flavor molecule, serving as a cornerstone ingredient for creating authentic and complex savory flavor profiles in the food industry. Valued for its potent and distinctive aroma, this FEMA GRAS-listed compound is essential for flavorists aiming to replicate the nuanced taste of cooked meats and savory dishes.

Its primary role is to impart a rich, roasted, and brothy meat character, particularly evocative of well-cooked beef and pork. This makes it a critical component in the formulation of advanced savory flavors, including reaction flavors , meat flavorings for snacks , ready meals, soups, stews, gravy bases, and savory sauces. Beyond its core meaty profile, 3-Mercapto-2-pentanone contributes desirable sulfurous, slightly fatty, and sometimes fruity-ethereal notes, which add crucial depth and realism, preventing flavors from tasting one-dimensional or artificial. Its potency means it is used at very low concentrations , making it an extremely cost-effective tool for enhancing the overall mouthfeel, richness, and lingering savory sensation in a final product.

For product developers, 3-Mercapto-2-pentanone is not just an additive; it is a fundamental building block for achieving the "umami" and "cooked" sensory notes that define premium savory experiences across a wide range of processed foods and culinary applications.