Menthofuran (CAS: 494-90-6) is a naturally occurring monoterpene furan derivative with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₄O and a molecular weight of 150.22 g/mol.It is a colorless to bluish liquidwith a characteristic diffusive, pungent, musty, nutty, and earthy aroma, often described as having coffee-cocoa-like roasted notes and a distinct minty character.The compound is also known by several synonyms including 3,9-Epoxy-p-mentha-3,8-diene, 4,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-3,6-dimethylbenzofuran, and 3,6-Dimethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-benzofuran.Physicochemical properties include a boiling point of 87°C at 15 torr and a refractive index of 1.4832–1.4852.
As a key constituent of essential oils from various Mentha species—particularly peppermint (Mentha x piperita), spearmint, and pennyroyal—menthofuran is valued for its unique olfactory profile that cannot be easily replicated by other compounds.Its distinctive minty, nutty-earthy character makes it an important ingredient in the flavor and fragrance industry, while its role as a metabolite of pulegone and its interactions with cytochrome P450 enzymes have made it a subject of significant biochemical and toxicological research.Market demand is closely linked to the global flavor and fragrance industries, the growing interest in natural essential oil constituents, and the increasing need for analytical reference standards in quality control applications. Based on its chemical characteristics and industrial chain position, this article systematically analyzes international market dynamics of menthofuran, focusing on core application scenarios, competitive landscape, regional differences, regulatory trends, and future outlook, providing strategic references for industry participants.
Core Application Fields and Demand
Market demand for menthofuran is concentrated in three major sectors: flavors and food applications (≈40–45% of global consumption), fragrances and personal care (≈30–35%), and biochemical research and analytical standards (≈15–20%), with additional demand from the essential oil and aromatherapy industries (≈5–10%).
In the flavors and food applications sector, menthofuran is valued as a flavoring agent that imparts a distinctive minty, nutty, and earthy character to a wide range of products. It is listed with FEMA number 3235 and JECFA number 758 as a flavoring agent.Its unique sensory profile—combining hay-like sweetness, mint notes, coffee-cocoa roasted nuances, and coconut-like characteristics when diluted—makes it suitable for mint-flavored confectionery, chewing gums, beverages, baked goods, and dairy products.The compound is also found naturally in peppermint oil and is used to enhance and modulate mint flavor profiles in both natural and synthetic flavor formulations.The global demand for natural and synthetic flavoring agents continues to grow, driven by increasing consumer preference for authentic mint flavors in food and beverage products.
In the fragrances and personal care sector, menthofuran serves as a valuable fragrance ingredient, imparting a diffusive, pungent, and herbaceous minty note with nutty-earthy undertones.It is used in fine fragrances, perfumes, decorative cosmetics, shampoos, toilet soaps, and other personal care products to add complexity and depth to mint and herbal compositions.The compound is also employed in household products such as cleaners and detergents, where its distinctive aroma enhances the sensory experience of the product. The rise in consumer demand for natural and nature-identical fragrance ingredients has further boosted the interest in menthofuran as a specialty aroma compound.
In the biochemical research and analytical standards sector, menthofuran is a useful biochemical for proteomics research and studies investigating the metabolic pathways of monoterpenes in mint species.It is a proximate toxic metabolite of (R)-(+)-pulegone and serves as a modulator of essential oil biosynthesis in peppermint, regulating monoterpene reductase activity and influencing the production of key essential oil components.Menthofuran is also a potent mechanism-based inactivator of cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6), an enzyme involved in the metabolism of several xenobiotics and drugs.In the pharmaceutical and analytical industries, menthofuran is used as a reference standard for analytical method development, method validation (AMV), and quality control (QC) applications, particularly for abbreviated new drug applications (ANDA) or during the commercial production of menthone.The compound is supplied with detailed characterization data compliant with regulatory guidelines, making it valuable for forced degradation studies, DMF filing, and identification standards.
Major Market Participants
The global supply system for menthofuran follows a pattern of specialized chemical manufacturers, essential oil producers, and analytical standard suppliers, with production and distribution concentrated in Asia, North America, and Europe. The compound is generally supplied as a colorless to bluish liquid with purity ranging from 84% to ≥95% (verified by GC analysis).
Major international suppliers and manufacturers include TargetMol Chemicals Inc. (global compound library and small molecule supplier),TCI Chemicals (offering 3,6-dimethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzofuran),Santa Cruz Biotechnology (SCBT) (supplying menthofuran for proteomics research),Thermo Fisher Scientific (offering menthofuran at 95% purity under the Acros Organics and Alfa Aesar brands),SynZeal (supplying menthofuran with detailed characterization data compliant with regulatory guidelines for ANDA filing and method validation),Parchem (offering menthofuran for perfuming applications),EvitaChem (offering menthofuran as a natural organic compound),and BenchChem (offering (+)-Menthofuran).The compound is available in research quantities (100 mg, 500 mg, 1 g, 5 g) and industrial scales (bulk custom).
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has established a reliable, quality-controlled supply chain for high-purity Menthofuran (CAS 494-90-6). Our product is manufactured under strict quality management, achieving consistent purity (≥95%) with low impurity profiles, fully complying with global flavor, fragrance, and research standards. It is available in flavor grade (FEMA 3235 compliant), fragrance grade (for perfumery and personal care), and research grade (for biochemical and analytical applications).
Regional Market Dynamics
Global demand for menthofuran shows regional differentiation: “Asia-Pacific dominates production, North America and Europe are mature high-value markets for research and analytical standards, and Latin America and Middle East & Africa are emerging growth regions.”
The global menthofuran market is the subject of comprehensive industry research, with reports covering market drivers, challenges, supply/demand dynamics, regional overviews (Europe, Asia, North America, etc.), and detailed market predictions up to 2029.The market analysis covers constraints, drivers, and opportunities, as well as supply and demand dynamics, suppliers, and end-use sectors.
Asia-Pacific is the world’s largest producer of menthofuran, led by China and India, where abundant natural sources of mint essential oils and well-established extraction capabilities provide a strong manufacturing base. Chinese manufacturers offer competitive pricing at scales ranging from research quantities to industrial batches, serving both domestic demand for flavor and fragrance intermediates and exports to global markets.
North America (United States and Canada) and Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands) together account for a significant share of high-purity research and analytical grade consumption. Customer requirements in these regions are stringent: purity ≥95%, full traceability, compliance with FEMA, JECFA, and IFRA regulations, and full impurity profiling.
Regulatory and Environmental Considerations
Menthofuran (CAS 494-90-6) is subject to regulatory oversight in major economies, particularly when intended for food, flavor, and cosmetic applications. The compound is listed in the European Commission’s guidelines (Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008) on food flavorings and natural substances due to its potential liver toxicity.
In the European Union, menthofuran is regulated at the European level due to its hepatotoxic potential.It is listed in the register of chemically defined flavouring substances laid down in Commission Decision 1999/217/EC.The compound is subject to IFRA (International Fragrance Association) and REACH regulations, with restricted use in cosmetic and food products, particularly when derived from peppermint or pennyroyal essential oils.Permitted thresholds vary according to the matrix and type of product.The compound is also included in the European Commission’s guidelines on natural substances used in food flavorings.
In the United States, menthofuran is listed in the FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) database as 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-3,6-dimethylbenzofuran.JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) has evaluated menthofuran and concluded that there is no safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavoring agent.The evaluation was conducted in 2000 (session 55), with an ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) of no safety concern.Menthofuran is also listed with FEMA number 3235.
In China, menthofuran is subject to national regulations for food additives and cosmetic ingredients. Manufacturers must comply with GB standards for product quality and safety.
Menthofuran is classified as a dangerous good for transport and may be subject to additional shipping charges.Recommended storage conditions: keep in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, protected from light and heat. The compound should be handled with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) — including chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses — due to its potential toxicological effects.
Future Outlook
The market outlook for menthofuran is tied to four core drivers: (1) sustained growth in global demand for natural and nature-identical mint flavorings in the food and beverage industry, driven by consumer preference for authentic mint flavors; (2) increasing adoption of menthofuran as a specialty fragrance ingredient in personal care and household products; (3) growing demand for analytical reference standards in pharmaceutical quality control, particularly for ANDA filing and method validation applications; and (4) expanding research into the biological activities and metabolic pathways of monoterpenes, where menthofuran serves as a key model compound.The global menthofuran market is projected to grow steadily through 2029, with comprehensive market reports forecasting future trends and supply-demand scenarios by region.
Challenges include: regulatory restrictions on menthofuran use in food and cosmetic products due to hepatotoxicity concerns, competition from alternative mint flavor compounds with lower toxicological risk profiles, and raw material availability and price volatility for natural mint essential oils. Enterprises should focus on securing high-purity (≥95%) production capabilities, maintaining rigorous impurity documentation for global regulatory filings, ensuring compliance with FEMA, JECFA, IFRA, and REACH regulations, and building long-term supply partnerships with flavor houses, fragrance manufacturers, and pharmaceutical quality control laboratories.
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem)
As a world-leading supplier of flavor and fragrance ingredients, natural aroma compounds, and specialty chemicals, Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has always focused on the innovative needs of the flavor, fragrance, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. Relying on core advantages in sourcing, quality assurance, and global logistics, we provide high-quality Menthofuran (CAS 494-90-6) to global customers. Our product is manufactured under strict quality management, achieving consistent specifications for flavor, fragrance, and research grades. Fully compliant with FEMA 3235, JECFA, and international quality standards, it is an ideal flavoring agent, fragrance component, and biochemical research tool.
1. Technical Advantages
High Purity & Consistency: Our Menthofuran achieves purity levels of ≥95% (verified by GC analysis), supplied as a colorless to bluish liquid, molecular weight 150.22 g/mol, refractive index 1.4832–1.4852.
Low Impurity Profile: Strict control of residual solvents, heavy metals, and related substances ensures high performance for flavor, fragrance, and research applications.
Multiple Grades Available: We offer flavor grade (FEMA 3235 compliant), fragrance grade (for perfumery and personal care), and research grade (for biochemical and analytical applications).
Batch-to-Batch Uniformity: Rigorous analytical testing (GC, GC-MS, refractive index) guarantees a consistent olfactory profile and reproducible quality across all production lots.
2. Product Advantages
Distinctive Minty-Nutty Flavor & Fragrance Profile: Delivers a diffusive, pungent, musty, nutty, earthy mint character with coffee-cocoa roasted nuances and coconut-like characteristics when diluted.
Versatile Aroma Compound: Directly used in mint flavor formulations (confectionery, chewing gums, beverages, baked goods, dairy products), fragrance compositions (fine fragrances, decorative cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, household cleaners), and biochemical research (proteomics, metabolic pathway studies, cytochrome P450 research).
Analytical Reference Standard: Used for analytical method development, method validation (AMV), quality control (QC) applications for ANDA filing, forced degradation studies, DMF filing, and identification standards.
Flexible Packaging: 100 mg, 500 mg, 1 g, 5 g, 25 g, and bulk custom packaging; full custom packaging for industrial orders.
Reliable Supply Chain: Annual capacity in the multi-ton range, with dedicated warehousing (cool, dry, light-protected, sealed containers) and just-in-time delivery capabilities.
3. Application Fields
- Flavors & Food Applications: Flavoring agent (FEMA 3235) for mint-flavored confectionery, chewing gums, beverages, baked goods, dairy products, and flavor formulations.
- Fragrances & Personal Care: Fragrance component for fine fragrances, decorative cosmetics, perfumes, shampoos, toilet soaps, toiletries, and household cleaners.
- Biochemical Research: Proteomics research, metabolic pathway studies in mint species, cytochrome P450 enzyme research, and monoterpene biosynthesis studies.
- Pharmaceutical & Analytical Reference Standards: Reference standard for ANDA filing, method validation, quality control, forced degradation studies, and DMF filing.
- Essential Oils & Aromatherapy: Component in natural mint essential oil formulations and aromatherapy products.
4. Service Support
Our technical team provides olfactory profiling guidance, stability testing recommendations, impurity profiling, and regulatory documentation (Certificate of Analysis, Technical Data Sheet, Safety Data Sheet, FEMA compliance, JECFA compliance, IFRA compliance, REACH compliance, TSCA certification). We offer custom packaging and just-in-time delivery.
5. Why Choose XinChem
- Professionalism: 20+ years in the flavor, fragrance, and specialty chemical industries.
- Flexibility: Tailored to customer purity specifications, grade requirements, packaging sizes, and regulatory documentation needs.
- Cost-effectiveness: High quality at competitive industrial pricing.
Contact us now to start cooperation!
Website: www.xinchem.com
Email: sales1@xinchem.com
WhatsApp: +86 18049800532
Post time: Jul-19-2026