Vanillin

Synonyms

2-Methoxy-4-formylphenol; 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde; 4-Formyl-2-methoxyphenol; 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde; 4-Hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde; 4-Hydroxy-m-anisaldehyde; Benzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-; Lioxin; Methylprotocatechuic aldehyde; Protocatechualdehyde 3-methyl ether; Protocatechualdehyde, methyl-; Vanilla; Vanillaldehyde; Vanillic aldehyde; Vanillin (natural); Vanilline; Zimco; m-Anisaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-; p-Hydroxy-m-methoxybenzaldehyde; p-Vanillin; [ChemIDplus] Rhonavil Extra Pure; [Merck Index] m-Methoxy-p-hydroxybenzaldehyde; [CAMEO] 3-Methoxy-4-hydroksy-benzaldehyd; 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyd; Hydroxy-4-methoxy-3-benzaldehyde; para-Vanillin; Vanilla aldehyde; Vanillin ex lignin; [IUCLID]

Category

Plant Oils and Extracts

Description

White or off-white solid with a pleasant odor of vanilla; [Merck Index] Light yellow solid; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Found in foods and plants; Used as a flavoring agent and fragrance; [Merck Index] Used as a chemical intermediate, fuel additive, odor agent, and anti-UV agent; [IUCLID] In the group of essential oils with active product registrations in the US for uses as insect feeding depressants, insecticides, and repellants; Used to control clothes moths and fleas; [EPA REDs] Used in attractants for the control of flies, roaches, and crickets; [HSDB]

Comments

The pure substance and concentrations up to 20% caused no skin irritation in closed patch test studies; No skin sensitization observed in patch tests of 25 volunteers at 2% and 5% in petrolatum; Occupational exposure to vanilla pods commonly produces "vanillism," with symptoms including skin reactions (papular itching eruptions of the hands, face, and eyelids), headache, gastritis, vertigo, and occasionally asthma; Calcium oxalate crystals in the sap and mites may contribute to the skin reactions; [IUCLID] Three studies of volunteers and workers showed no signs of skin sensitization; Reports of positive sensitization reactions in patients sensitized to Balsam of Peru; [Reference #1] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] Included in list of "established contact allergens in humans"; [EC: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety: Fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (2011)] A skin and strong eye irritant; May cause skin sensitization; Harmful by ingestion and skin absorption; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS] See "Vanillic acid."

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

0.000118 mm Hg

LC (rat) > 41.7 mg/m3/4hr

10 mg/m3

Yes

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)