Pyruvic acid (CAS 127-17-3) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Pyruvic acid
CAS 127-17-3
What Is Pyruvic acid?
Pyruvic acid is a key metabolic compound found in all living cells, often encountered in skincare products promoting cellular renewal. This alpha-keto acid plays vital roles in both biochemistry and cosmetic formulations, bridging science and sensory experiences. Its presence matters because it influences both fragrance stability and skin benefits, making it a multifunctional ingredient in modern perfumery and cosmetics.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Pyruvic acid Smell Like?
Pyruvic acid has a sharp, vinegar-like odor with subtle fruity undertones. The initial scent is intensely acidic, evolving into a cleaner, almost effervescent dry-down. Imagine the crispness of green apples meeting the tang of fermented grapes – this dynamic character makes it a fascinating bridge between functional chemistry and olfactory artistry.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=O)C(O)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Pyruvic acid (CH3COCOOH) is the simplest alpha-keto acid, playing a central role in glycolysis and the Krebs cycle. Industrially produced via glucose fermentation or chemical synthesis from tartaric acid. Its keto group makes it highly reactive, useful in ester formation for fragrance ingredients. Exists as a colorless liquid that readily mixes with water and organic solvents.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 165 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 13.8 °C |
| Density | 1.25 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare Fragrances | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds freshness while delivering actives |
| Functional Fragrances | 1-3% | Up to 8% | Masking agent for actives |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use citrate buffers to stabilize in aqueous systems.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Generally recognized as safe in cosmetic applications.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has assessed pyruvic acid as safe for current fragrance use levels.
Sustainability
Synthetic production dominates due to cost efficiency, though bio-based routes from renewable sugars are emerging. Lower environmental impact than many petrochemical-derived acids due to natural degradation pathways.
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Pyruvic Acid CID 1060
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 127-17-3Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 88.06 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -0.3🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 54 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 1.29 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Involatility Index | 0.1482💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -3.45💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(=O)C(=O)O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Moderate💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | burnt• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | ketone💻 RDKit |
| “Colorless viscous liquid, solidifying in the cold. M.P. 13° C. Polymerizes easily and acquires a brownish color and caramellic odor. Sp.Gr. 1.26. B.P. 165° C under decomposition.”📖 Arctander | |
| Pyruvic acid has a sour, acetic odor (similar to acetic acid). It has a pleasant, sour taste with a burning, somewhat sweet note. It tends to darken and decompose unless kept free of minor contaminants and in tightly sealed containers.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Sour-acetic odor. Pleasant sour taste, accompanied by a mildly burnt note which gives the impression of caramellic sweetness. It finds extensive use in flavor compositions, mostly in the form of esters. The acid itself is used in imitation Coffee and Rum flavors at concentrations equal to 1 to 30 pp”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2970⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID2021650
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 88.062 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.264 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 164.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 12.346 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 48.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.417 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 69.801 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -0.539 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | -3.223 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | -4.628 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.09 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 11.353 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 1.293 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 1.991 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 36.157 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 157.399 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 54.37 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 17.542 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 6.954 Å^3📊 OPERA |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
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