Using Ethyl Butyrate to flavor water?

[skyshrimp]

I add a little malic acid to my water to flavour it. I was wondering if it was ok to also add a drop of ethyl butyrate to see what it tastes like.
I've found it here,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234612863061

 

[jim mcnamara]

It is okay.

It is very likely that everyone reading this thread consumes it daily because it is used extensively in tiny amounts by food manufacturers as a high power flavor enhancer for orange juice, and for most fruit fillings for pies, pastries, soft drinks and candies.

[opinion]
I think it is on the GRAS (generally regarded as safe) list in the US, so apparently it has been used for a long time. Dunno about the UK and EU. ...better living through Chemistry?
[/opinion]

 

[jim mcnamara]

Thread moved to Chemistry.

 

[Baluncore]

The OP eBay listing includes the statement:
"Do not consume. For external use only. Keep away from children and eyes."

 

[chemisttree]

Yeah, I was just going to say to be sure it is food grade. Don't EVER let that stuff hydrolyze. It will smell like drunk baby vomit.

 

[fresh_42]

[opinion]
I think it is on the GRAS (generally regarded as safe) list in the US, so apparently it has been used for a long time. Dunno about the UK and EU. ...better living through Chemistry?
[/opinion]

https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/details/39836

 

[skyshrimp]

Wiki states that ethyl butyrate is a liquid and that it's solubility in water is 150 parts. It's also called pineapple oil.

If I understand correctly, this makes it slightly soluble (6 ml to 1 litre).
https://www.solubilityofthings.com/levels-of-solubility

Will I need an emulsifier to blend 1ml ethyl butyrate with 1 litre of water?

How do I stop it hydrolysing with water?

Will ethyl butyrate react with the malic acid? I don't want to create butyric acid as it wil smell.

I'm also planning to experiment by adding ethyl butyrate to homemade fruit wine (hooch).

 

[Vanadium 50]

It will smell like drunk baby vomit.

Would I regret it if I asked you how you know?

 

[fresh_42]

Would I regret it if I asked you how you know?

Well, you know, there was a time before everything was made in China, a time before baby-soothers. However, dry bread, a textile handkerchief, and whisky (or any equivalent spirit, depending on the region, but all had some sort of liquor) were always available. Now combine all three and the baby will soothe and ...

 

[Baluncore]

Will I need an emulsifier to blend 1ml ethyl butyrate with 1 litre of water?

That would probably be a sensory overload, with all the negative implications.

A similar hydrolysis product, butyric acid, was used in stink bombs by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, to disrupt the Japanese whaling crews, and to contaminate the butchered whale meat that was being stockpiled and consumed in Japan, (the product of scientific research).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butyric_acid

 

[skyshrimp]

Opps, I recieved a Rule Violation for posting ChatGPT answers.

Sorry about that.

 

[chemisttree]

Wiki states that ethyl butyrate is a liquid and that it's solubility in water is 150 parts. It's also called pineapple oil.

If I understand correctly, this makes it slightly soluble (6 ml to 1 litre).
https://www.solubilityofthings.com/levels-of-solubility

Will I need an emulsifier to blend 1ml ethyl butyrate with 1 litre of water?

How do I stop it hydrolysing with water?

Will ethyl butyrate react with the malic acid? I don't want to create butyric acid as it wil smell.

I'm also planning to experiment by adding ethyl butyrate to homemade fruit wine (hooch).

It will hydrolyze under acidic and basic conditions. Try to keep your water as close to neutral as possible. Malic acid catalyzed hydrolysis is possible but I’m not sure of the kinetics. It may be OK to mix and immediately consume.

 

[skyshrimp]

Thanks,

I'll be mixing the ethyl butyrate with maltodextrin powder to emulsify it. I'll try the apple, raspberry and cherry esters next.

 

[chemisttree]

It might be that you could make a 10% solution in Everclear and add it dropwise to flavor the water. Self-emulsifying.

 

[chemisttree]

Diethyl malate and malic acid could be used to produce an apple like flavor profile.

 

[Mayhem]

Would I regret it if I asked you how you know?

Every chemist knows butyric acid smells like the most rotten cheese you could imagine. Source: dont choose ethyl butyrate as your target molecule for your Fisher esterification lab.

 

[chemisttree]

So you have experience with Eau de drunk baby vomit too?

 

[NotInterested]

HAZARD SUMMARY
* Ethyl Butyrate can affect you when breathed in and by
passing through your skin.
* Contact can irritate the skin.
* Exposure to Ethyl Butyrate can irritate the eyes, nose,
and throat.
* Overexposure may cause headache, nausea, vomiting and
make you feel dizzy and lightheaded. Higher levels can
make you pass out.
* Ethyl Butyrate is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRE
HAZARD.
READ Here: https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0862.pdf