2-Furfurylthio-3-methylpyrazine (CAS: 59303-07-0) is a heterocyclic sulfur-containing pyrazine derivative belonging to the aryl thioether class of flavor compounds. Its structure features a pyrazine ring substituted with a methyl group and a furfurylthio moiety, with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₀N₂OS and a molecular weight of 206.26 g/mol. The compound is commercially supplied as a mixture of positional isomers (2-methyl-3-, 5-, or 6-(furfurylthio)pyrazine), typically appearing as a light yellow to brown clear liquid. Key physical properties include a boiling point of 289–299°C, a density of 1.201 g/mL at 25°C, a refractive index of approximately 1.60, and a flash point >230°F (>110°C). It is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol.
As a potent aroma-active compound, 2-furfurylthio-3-methylpyrazine exhibits an exceptionally low odor threshold and a complex, powerful sensory profile dominated by sulfurous, nutty, roasted coffee, and cooked meat notes. This unique olfactory signature — characterized by the thioether functional group that fundamentally alters odor character compared to non-sulfurized pyrazines — makes it an indispensable ingredient in the flavor and fragrance industries. Its production typically involves the reaction of furfuryl mercaptan with halogenated methylpyrazines. Market demand is closely linked to the global food and beverage industry, the growing demand for authentic roasted and meaty flavor profiles, and the increasing consumer preference for natural-identical flavor enhancers in savory applications. Based on its chemical characteristics and industrial chain position, this article systematically analyzes international market dynamics of 2-furfurylthio-3-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-furfurylthio-3-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 cosmetic formulations (≈5-10%).
In the food and beverage flavoring sector, 2-furfurylthio-3-methylpyrazine is a highly valued flavoring agent recognized for its ability to impart authentic roasted, nutty, meaty, and sulfurous notes to a wide range of products. It is extensively used in savory flavor formulations, including meat products (beef, chicken, pork), soups, sauces, gravies, and seasonings, where it enhances the rich, cooked-meat character. The compound is also a key component in coffee and chocolate flavor profiles, contributing to the deep roasted and nutty nuances essential for authentic replication. In nut-flavored products (hazelnut, peanut, almond), it adds depth and complexity. The compound‘s low odor threshold — significantly lower than simple alkylpyrazines — means that even minute quantities can have a profound impact on flavor perception, making it highly cost-effective for flavor houses and food manufacturers. Its moderate lipophilicity (LogP ~1.7) and compatibility with both aqueous and oil-based systems make it suitable for diverse applications, including baked goods, confectionery, snacks, and beverages.
In the fragrance and personal care sector, 2-furfurthio-3-methylpyrazine is used as a fragrance component in perfumes, soaps, cosmetics, and household products. Its warm, nutty, roasted, and slightly sulfurous character is valued for adding complexity to gourmand, oriental, and woody fragrance compositions, as well as for use in aromatherapy products such as essential oils and scented candles.
In the pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations sector, the compound‘s properties are explored in drug development for potential therapeutic applications and as a flavoring agent in medicinal formulations, improving palatability of oral medications. In cosmetic formulations, it is incorporated into skincare and cosmetic products for its aromatic qualities, providing a sensory experience that enhances consumer appeal.
Major Market Participants
The global supply system for 2-furfurylthio-3-methylpyrazine follows a pattern of specialized flavor and fragrance ingredient manufacturers, aroma chemical producers, and fine chemical companies, with production concentrated in China, Japan, Europe, and North America. The compound is generally supplied as a light yellow to brown clear liquid with purity ranging from 95% to ≥98% (verified by GC analysis). Major international suppliers include TCI Chemicals (Japan/USA, offering >95.0% purity, product F0222, with stock in Asia, Europe, and North America), Chem-Impex (offering ≥95% purity), BenchChem (offering research quantities and bulk custom synthesis), Parchem (specialty chemical distributor), Aladdin Scientific (offering ≥95% purity research grade), and CymitQuimica. Chinese manufacturers, including Shanghai Bide Pharmaceutical Technology, Wuhan Huajiu Pharmaceutical Technology, and Wuhan Kemike Biomedical Technology, offer competitive pricing at scales ranging from research quantities to industrial batches.
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has established a reliable, quality-controlled supply chain for high-purity 2-Furfurylthio-3-methylpyrazine (CAS 59303-07-0). Our product is manufactured under strict quality management, achieving consistent purity (≥95-98%) with low impurity profiles, fully complying with global food, fragrance, and pharmaceutical standards. It is available in food grade (FEMA 3189 GRAS compliant, JECFA 1082), fragrance grade, and research grade. All XinChem material is supplied as a mixture of positional isomers in accordance with industry standards.
Regional Market Dynamics
Global demand for 2-furfurylthio-3-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.”
Asia-Pacific, particularly China and Japan, is the world’s largest producer and fastest-growing region for pyrazine thioether 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. Japan-based TCI Chemicals maintains a strong regional presence with dedicated stock and manufacturing capabilities. The region‘s expanding food processing, beverage, and meat-product industries, coupled with growing demand for authentic savory and roasted 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 flavor houses, food manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and academic research institutions. Customer requirements in these regions are stringent: purity ≥98%, full traceability, compliance with FDA, FEMA, JECFA, and REACH regulations, and comprehensive impurity documentation. The compound is listed in the FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS) database and is subject to standard chemical control regulations.
Japan and South Korea demand ultra-high-purity grades for advanced flavor development and high-performance food applications, with TCI Chemicals offering localized supply to meet these standards.
Regulatory and Environmental Considerations
2-Furfurylthio-3-methylpyrazine (CAS 59303-07-0) is subject to regulatory oversight in major economies, particularly when intended for food, flavor, and cosmetic applications. The compound has an EINECS number of 261-690-9 and an MDL number of MFCD00055031.
In the United States, 2-furfurylthio-3-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 3189, confirming its GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. The compound is also listed with UNII HNN0V366HI and has been evaluated by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and assigned JECFA number 1082.
The compound is classified as an irritant (Xi) with risk statements R36/37/38: irritating to eyes, respiratory system, and skin. Transport information: Not classified as a hazardous material for transport (Hazmat No). Recommended storage conditions: store in a tightly sealed container under inert gas at 2-8°C or at room temperature in a cool, dark place (recommended below 15°C), protected from light, moisture, and air. The compound is air sensitive and should be stored under inert atmosphere. 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 and strong acids.
In the European Union, the compound is subject to REACH regulations (Pre-Registration number 261-690-9); importers and manufacturers must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS). 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 food flavoring agent under GB 2760 standards and is permitted for use as a food flavoring substance. The HS code for import/export is 2933.99.8210.
Future Outlook
The market outlook for 2-furfurylthio-3-methylpyrazine is tied to four core drivers: (1) sustained growth in global demand for authentic roasted, meaty, and savory flavor profiles in the food and beverage industry, driven by consumer preference for rich, complex tastes in meat products, snacks, coffee, and chocolate; (2) increasing adoption of pyrazine thioether flavor compounds in clean-label and natural-identical flavor formulations, where low-odor-threshold ingredients offer cost-effective flavor enhancement at minimal usage levels; (3) expanding applications in fragrance and personal care, where roasted and nutty notes are increasingly valued in gourmand, oriental, and woody fragrance compositions; and (4) growing research into the Maillard reaction and the formation of sulfur-containing flavor-active compounds in thermally processed foods, which continues to validate the importance of thioether pyrazines in authentic flavor replication.
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 furfuryl mercaptan and methylpyrazine precursors, competition from alternative sulfur-containing flavor compounds and natural extracts, potential regulatory restrictions on certain thioether derivatives, and the need for continued investment in high-purity production and sensory quality control. Enterprises should focus on securing high-purity (≥98%) production capabilities, maintaining rigorous impurity documentation for global regulatory filings, ensuring compliance with FDA, FEMA, JECFA, and REACH requirements, and building long-term supply partnerships with flavor houses, food manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, 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-Furfurylthio-3-methylpyrazine (CAS 59303-07-0) 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 3189, JECFA 1082, and international quality standards, it is an ideal roasted, meaty, and nutty flavoring agent for savory formulations, coffee, chocolate, meat products, and fragrance compositions.
1. Technical Advantages
High Purity & Consistency: Our 2-furfurylthio-3-methylpyrazine achieves purity levels of ≥95-98% (verified by GC analysis), supplied as a light yellow to brown clear liquid, molecular weight 206.26 g/mol, boiling point 289-299°C, density 1.201 g/mL at 25°C, refractive index ~1.60.
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 3189 GRAS, JECFA 1082 compliant), fragrance grade (for perfumery and personal care), and research grade (for pharmaceutical 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 Roasted-Meat-Nutty Flavor Compound: Directly used in savory flavor formulations (meat products, soups, sauces, seasonings), coffee and chocolate flavor profiles, nut-flavored products (hazelnut, peanut, almond), baked goods, confectionery, snacks, beverages, fragrance compositions (gourmand, oriental, woody notes), aromatherapy products, and pharmaceutical flavoring applications.
Low Odor Threshold & High Impact: The thioether functional group delivers a complex sulfurous, meaty, roasted coffee, and nutty profile at exceptionally low concentrations, providing cost-effective flavor enhancement.
Proven Regulatory Acceptance: FEMA 3189 GRAS, JECFA 1082, FDA EAFUS listed; permitted for use as a food flavoring agent in multiple jurisdictions.
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 (2-8°C or below 15°C, under inert gas, light-protected, sealed containers) and just-in-time delivery capabilities.
3. Application Fields
- Food & Beverage Flavoring: Savory meat products, soups, sauces, seasonings, coffee, chocolate, nut products, baked goods, confectionery, snacks, and specialty beverage formulations.
- Fragrances & Personal Care: Fine fragrances, soaps, cosmetics, household products, aromatherapy essential oils, and scented candles.
- Pharmaceutical Applications: Flavoring agent in medicinal formulations (improving palatability of oral medications).
- Cosmetic Formulations: Skincare and cosmetic products for aromatic qualities and sensory enhancement.
- Flavor Research: Maillard reaction studies, food chemistry research, natural flavor enhancer development.
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, JECFA 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