Authorization for use of  Isoquinoline and Pyrrole  as food a dditives   
 
Purpose  and background  
This activity is to newly designate Isoquinoline and Pyrrole  as authorized food 
additives.  
Under Article 10 of the Food Sanitation Law, food additives may  be used  or marketed  
only when they are authorized  by the Minister of Health , Labour  and Welfare.  Where 
standards  for use of additives  and/or their compositional specifications are established  
based on Article 11 of the law, those additives may  be used or marketed only when they 
meet the  standards and/or specifications.   
 
In response to a request from the Minister, the Subcommittee on Food Additives under 
the Food Sanitation Committee which is established under the Pharmaceutical Affairs 
and Food Sanitation Council has discussed the adequacy of  designation of the two 
substances, i.e. Isoquinoline and Pyrrole , as food additives . Conclusion of the 
subcommittee is outlined  below.  
 
 
Outline of conclusion  
The Minister should designate  Isoquinoline and Pyrrole , based on  Article 10 of the 
Food Sanitation Law , as food additives unlikely to  harm human health,  and establish 
compositional specifications and other necessary standards for the se substances, based 
on Article 11 of the law (see Attachments 1 and 2).  Attachment 1  
 
Isoquinoline  
                    
Standard for use  
It shall not be used for purposes other than flavoring.  
 
Compositional specifications  
Substance name:   Isoquinoline     
Structural formula:  
 N
 
Molecular formula :  C 9H7N  
Mol. Weight :  129.16  
Chemical name  [CAS number ]:  Isoquinoline [119 -65-3] 
Content :  Isoquinoline  contains not less than 97.0%  of isoquinoline (C 9H7N).  
Description :  Isoquinoline  occurs as a colorless to light yellow liquid or solid having a 
characteristic odor.    
Ident ification :  Determine the infrared absorption spectrum of  Isoquinoline , as 
directed in the Liquid Film Me thod under Infrared Spectrophotometry, and compare it 
with the Reference Spectrum.  Both spectra  exhibit absorption s having about the same 
intensity at the same wavenumbers . If the sample is a solid, warm in a water bath at 
40°C to melt it, and use as the test sample.  
Purity :   
(1) Refractive index   n30
D: 1.618– 1.624.  
(2) Specific gravity   d30
30: 1.093– 1.099.  
Assay : Dissolve 0.1 g of Isoquinoline in 1 ml of ethanol (95).  Proceed as directed in the 
Peak Area Percentage Method in the Gas Chromatographic Assay under the Flavor 
Substance Tests. Use operating conditions ( 1). Adjust the column temperature by 
raising from 150 °C at a rate of 5 °C per minute and maintaining at 230 °C for 24 
minutes.  Reference Spectrum  
 
Isoquinoline  
 
 
 
 Attachment 2  
 
Pyrrole  
 
Standard for use  
It shall not be used for purposes other than flavoring.  
 
Compositional specifications  
Substance nam e: Pyrrole  
Structural formula:  
H
N
 
Molecular formula :  C 4H5N                     
Mol. Weight :  67.09  
Chemical name  [CAS number ]:   Pyrrole  [109- 97-7] 
Content :  Pyrrole  contains not less than 98.0% of pyrrole  (C4H5N). 
Descripti on:  Pyrrole  occurs as a colorless to yellow transparent liquid having a 
characteristic odor.  
Identification :  Determine the infrared absorption spectrum of  Pyrrole , as directed in 
the Liquid Film Me thod under Infrared Spectrophotometry, and compare it wit h the 
Reference Spectrum.  Both spectra  exhibit absorption s having about the same intensity 
at the same wavenumbers . 
Purity :   
(1) Refractive index   n20
D: 1.507– 1.511.  
(2) Specific gravity   d25
25: 0.955– 0.975.  
Assay:  Proceed as directed in the Peak Area Percentage Method in the Gas 
Chromatographic Assay under the Flavor Substance Tests. Use operating conditions ( 2).   Reference Spectrum  
 
Pyrrole