Ethyl Maltol: Odour, Uses in Perfumery and Handling

Ethyl maltol is an organic compound related to maltol, sold as a white crystalline powder. Its smell is sweet, warm and sugary, often described as caramel, burnt sugar or candy floss, with a jammy fruit side. A very small amount is noticeable.

• Chemical name: 2-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one
• Formula: C7H8O3
• CAS number: 4940-11-8
• Molar mass: about 140.1 g/mol
• Melting point: roughly 89 to 93 °C

It dissolves easily in ethanol and in glycols such as dipropylene glycol (DPG), and only slowly in water. It is made synthetically.

Azlok lists Ethyl Maltol under aromatic raw materials, for perfume, attar, candle, incense and soap makers. Treat it as a perfumery material. The pack size is shown on the product page.

This listing is not sold as food grade, so don't use it in food or drinks. See today's price per kg.

• Fine fragrance and attars: adds a sweet, edible warmth to gourmand, vanilla, fruity and oriental blends.
• Candles and wax melts: gives bakery, caramel and dessert notes.
• Incense and agarbatti: sweetens and rounds off resinous and floral compositions.
• Soaps and body care: part of the fragrance oil in sweet-scented soaps and lotions.
• Food industry: food grade ethyl maltol is used as a flavouring and flavour enhancer in sweets and bakery products.

1. Make a dilution first. Perfumers usually work with a 10% solution: 1 g ethyl maltol in 9 g of perfumer's alcohol or DPG. Warm gently and stir until fully dissolved. This makes small amounts easier to weigh.
2. Start low. It can easily dominate a blend. Add it in small steps to the fragrance concentrate and smell after each step. Typical use is a small fraction of the concentrate.
3. Let it settle. Leave blends for a few days to a couple of weeks before judging, as sweetness shifts as the blend matures.
4. Watch for colour. Like maltol, it can turn reddish or brown in contact with iron. Use glass, stainless steel or plastic tools.

For use in cosmetics and fine fragrance, check current IFRA standards and do a patch test on a finished product. Cosmetic products sold in India need to meet BIS and CDSCO rules.

• Avoid breathing the dust and keep it out of your eyes. Rinse with water if it gets in.
• Wear gloves when weighing neat material.
• Keep it away from strong oxidisers and from heat sources.
• Store in a tightly closed glass or HDPE container, away from light and moisture. Iron containers can discolour it.
• Its sweet smell can attract children, so store it out of their reach and label it clearly.
• Dispose of small leftovers with household waste, sealed in a bag. Don't pour concentrated solutions into drains.

For perfumery, candles and incense, the aroma chemical listing is what you need. If you are making anything that will be eaten, buy food grade ethyl maltol from a supplier who can show FSSAI compliance instead.

Because it is so strong, a small pack goes a long way in home and studio perfumery. Candle and agarbatti units using it every week may want a larger pack. For 25 kg and above, send a bulk inquiry.