2-Ethyl-5-methylpyrazine (also known as 2-ethyl-5(6)-methylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-6-methylpyrazine, or 2-methyl-5-ethylpyrazine, CAS: 36731-41-6) is a heterocyclic organic compound belonging to the pyrazine family. With the molecular formula C₇H₁₀N₂ and a molecular weight of 122.17 g/mol, it typically appears as a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a strong, distinctive nutty, roasted aroma reminiscent of hazelnut, coffee, and cocoa. Key physical properties include a boiling point of 57 °C at 10 mmHg, a density of 0.964 g/mL at 25 °C, a refractive index of 1.502–1.505, and a flash point of 59 °C.
As a key alkylpyrazine flavoring agent, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine is one of the most important Maillard reaction products formed during the thermal processing of foods. It is found naturally in a wide variety of roasted and cooked products, including coffee, cocoa, tea, roasted peanuts, baked goods, soybean paste, chocolate, sesame seed oil, and even certain spices and essential oils such as black pepper oil, vetiver oil, and lavender oil. Its characteristic nutty, roasted, and earthy aroma makes it an indispensable ingredient in the flavor and fragrance industries, valued for its ability to add depth and complexity to both savory and sweet applications. Market demand is closely linked to the global food and beverage industry, the growing trend toward natural flavor enhancement, and the expanding market for specialty and artisanal food products. Based on its chemical characteristics and industrial chain position, this article systematically analyzes international market dynamics of 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine, 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 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine is concentrated in three major sectors: food and beverage flavoring (≈75-80% of global consumption), fragrance and personal care (≈10-15%), and pharmaceutical and biochemical research (≈5-10%).
In the food and beverage flavoring sector, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine is primarily used as a flavoring agent or adjuvant, recognized for its ability to impart authentic roasted, nutty, and coffee-like notes. It is extensively used in coffee and chocolate flavor formulations, where it enhances the natural roasted character of the final product. The compound is also a key component in nut-flavored products, including hazelnut, peanut, and almond profiles. In baked goods, it contributes to the desirable Maillard-derived flavors that develop during baking. It is also used in confectionery, savory snacks, sauces, seasonings, soups, and meat products to add depth and richness. The compound’s moderate water solubility (approximately 4903 mg/L at 25°C) and moderate lipophilicity (Log P of 2.34) make it suitable for both aqueous and oil-based systems. As a volatile compound with a low boiling point, it is particularly effective in flavor formulations designed for high-temperature processing and applications where rapid aroma release is desired.
In the fragrance and personal care sector, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine is used as a fragrance component, providing a warm, nutty, and roasted nuance to fine fragrances, soaps, cosmetics, and household products. Its distinctive olfactory profile is valued for adding complexity to gourmand and oriental fragrance compositions.
In the pharmaceutical and biochemical research sector, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine serves as a useful biochemical for flavor research and metabolic studies. It is also used in drug synthesis research as a pyrazine building block. Additionally, it serves as a reference standard for analytical method development, method validation (AMV), and quality control (QC) applications in the flavor and pharmaceutical industries.
Major Market Participants
The global supply system for 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine follows a pattern of specialized flavor and fragrance ingredient manufacturers, fine chemical companies, and aroma chemical producers, with production concentrated in China, Europe, and North America. The compound is generally supplied as a colorless to pale yellow liquid with purity ranging from 95% to ≥99% (verified by GC analysis). Major international suppliers include Sigma-Aldrich (Merck) (offering ≥98% purity with W315400 product code), AK Scientific (offering 95% purity with R550 product code), CymitQuimica (offering 95% purity with liquid form), TCI Chemicals, and Chem-Impex (offering 2-ethyl-5(6)-methylpyrazine). In Asia, key suppliers include Dayang Chemical (Hangzhou), Wuhan Huajiu Pharmaceutical Technology, Wuhan Kemike Biomedical Technology, and Shanghai Bide Pharmaceutical Technology. The compound is also available from specialized aroma chemical distributors such as BenchChem, EvitaChem, Labgogo, and MolCore (offering ≥98% purity with ISO certification).
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has established a reliable, quality-controlled supply chain for high-purity 2-Ethyl-5-methylpyrazine (CAS 36731-41-6). Our product is manufactured under strict quality management, achieving consistent purity (≥98-99%) with low impurity profiles, fully complying with global food, fragrance, and pharmaceutical standards. It is available in food grade (FEMA 3154 compliant, FDA GRAS), fragrance grade (for perfumery and personal care), and research grade (for biochemical and analytical applications).
Regional Market Dynamics
Global demand for 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine shows regional differentiation: “Asia-Pacific dominates production, North America and Europe lead in high-purity flavor and research applications, and Latin America and Middle East & Africa are emerging growth markets.” Comprehensive market research reports covering global and regional trends (Europe, Asia, North America, etc.), producers, distributors, and end-use sectors are available.
Asia-Pacific, particularly China, is the world‘s largest producer and fastest-growing region for pyrazine intermediates and flavor compounds. Chinese manufacturers, including XinChem, 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. The region‘s expanding food processing and beverage industries, coupled with growing demand for specialty flavors, continue to drive demand for high-purity pyrazine compounds.
North America (United States and Canada) and Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Switzerland) together account for the largest share of high-purity flavor and research consumption (≥99%), driven by the highest concentration of food and beverage manufacturers, flavor houses, and academic research institutions. Customer requirements in these regions are stringent: purity ≥98%, full traceability, compliance with FDA, FEMA, and REACH regulations, and comprehensive impurity documentation.
Japan and South Korea demand ultra-high-purity grades for advanced flavor development and high-performance food applications.
Regulatory and Environmental Considerations
2-Ethyl-5-methylpyrazine (CAS 36731-41-6) is subject to regulatory oversight in major economies, particularly when intended for food, flavor, and cosmetic applications. The compound has an EINECS number of 253-175-2 and an MDL number of MFCD09039261.
In the United States, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine is listed in the FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS) database as a flavoring agent or adjuvant. It has been evaluated by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) and assigned FEMA number 3154, indicating its GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. The FDA also provides a UNII (Unique Ingredient Identifier) for the compound. In the European Union, the compound is registered under REACH (Pre-Registration number 253-175-2); importers and manufacturers must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS). It has been evaluated by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and assigned JECFA number 770. The compound is also listed with FLAVIS number 14.114.
The compound is classified as harmful if swallowed (R22) and may cause irritation to eyes, respiratory system, and skin (R36/37/38). Transport information: UN 1993, Hazard Class 3, Packing Group III. Recommended storage conditions: store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area (recommended under refrigeration), protected from light, moisture, and incompatible materials. Personal protective equipment (PPE) — including chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and respiratory protection — is recommended during handling. The compound is stable under recommended storage conditions but should be kept away from oxidizing agents.
In China, the compound is listed in the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC) and requires safety production licenses for manufacturing facilities. The compound is classified as a flammable liquid and should be handled in accordance with GB standards for product quality and safety.
Future Outlook
The market outlook for 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine is tied to four core drivers: (1) sustained growth in global demand for natural and natural-identical flavoring agents in the food and beverage industry, driven by consumer preference for authentic, roasted, and nutty flavor profiles in coffee, chocolate, baked goods, and savory snacks; (2) increasing adoption of pyrazine flavor compounds in specialty coffee, artisanal chocolate, and premium confectionery applications; (3) expanding research into the Maillard reaction and the formation of flavor-active pyrazines in thermally processed foods; and (4) growing applications in fragrance and personal care, where nutty and roasted notes are increasingly valued in gourmand and oriental fragrance compositions.
The global pyrazine flavor compounds market continues to demonstrate steady growth, driven by the expanding food and beverage industry and the increasing demand for complex, authentic flavor profiles. Challenges include: raw material cost volatility for pyrazine precursors, competition from alternative flavoring agents and natural extracts, potential regulatory restrictions on certain pyrazine derivatives, and the need for continued investment in high-purity production and sensory quality control. Enterprises should focus on securing high-purity (≥99%) production capabilities, maintaining rigorous impurity documentation for global regulatory filings, ensuring compliance with FDA, FEMA, and REACH requirements, and building long-term supply partnerships with flavor houses, food manufacturers, and research institutions.
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem)
As a world-leading supplier of flavor ingredients, aroma chemicals, and specialty intermediates, Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has always focused on the innovative needs of the food, beverage, fragrance, and pharmaceutical industries. Relying on core advantages in sourcing, quality assurance, and global logistics, we provide high-quality 2-Ethyl-5-methylpyrazine (CAS 36731-41-6) to global customers. Our product is manufactured under strict quality management, achieving consistent specifications for food, fragrance, and research grades. Fully compliant with FDA, FEMA 3154, JECFA 770, and international quality standards, it is an ideal nutty-roasted flavoring agent for coffee, chocolate, baked goods, confectionery, savory applications, fragrance compositions, and biochemical research.
1. Technical Advantages
High Purity & Consistency: Our 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine achieves purity levels of ≥98-99% (verified by GC analysis), supplied as a colorless to pale yellow liquid, molecular weight 122.17 g/mol, boiling point 57°C at 10 mmHg, density 0.964 g/mL at 25°C, refractive index 1.502–1.505.
Low Impurity Profile: Strict control of residual solvents, heavy metals, and related pyrazine isomers ensures high performance for flavor, fragrance, and research applications.
Multiple Grades Available: We offer food grade (FEMA 3154 compliant, FDA GRAS), 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, density, refractive index) guarantees a consistent olfactory profile and reproducible quality across all production lots.
2. Product Advantages
Signature Nutty-Roasted Flavor Compound: Directly used in coffee and chocolate flavor formulations, nut-flavored products (hazelnut, peanut, almond), baked goods, confectionery, savory snacks, sauces, seasonings, soups, meat products, fragrance compositions (gourmand and oriental notes), and biochemical research (flavor studies, metabolic studies, drug synthesis research, reference standards).
Authentic Maillard-Derived Aroma: Delivers a distinctive nutty, roasted, cocoa-like, and earthy olfactory profile that is essential for authentic roasted flavor replication.
Proven Regulatory Acceptance: FDA GRAS, FEMA 3154, JECFA 770 compliant; listed in FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS) database.
Flexible Packaging: 1g, 5g, 10g, 25g, 100g, 500g (R&D); 1kg, 5kg, 10kg, 25kg HDPE drums/steel drums (industrial); full custom packaging available.
Reliable Supply Chain: Annual capacity in the multi-ton range, with dedicated temperature-controlled warehousing (cool, dry, light-protected, sealed containers, refrigeration recommended) and just-in-time delivery capabilities.
3. Application Fields
- Food & Beverage Flavoring: Coffee, chocolate, nut products, baked goods, confectionery, savory snacks, sauces, seasonings, soups, meat products, and specialty beverage formulations.
- Fragrances & Personal Care: Fragrance component for fine fragrances, soaps, cosmetics, and household products.
- Pharmaceutical & Biochemical Research: Flavor research, Maillard reaction studies, metabolic studies, drug synthesis research, analytical reference standards, and quality control applications.
4. Service Support
Our technical team provides olfactory profiling guidance, flavor formulation recommendations, stability testing, impurity profiling, and regulatory documentation (Certificate of Analysis, Technical Data Sheet, Safety Data Sheet, FDA compliance, FEMA 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-26-2026