Authorization for use of 2,3-Diethyl -5-methylpyrazine, 2 -(3-Phenylpropyl)pyridine, and 
5-Methyl -6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopentapyrazine  as food additives   
 
Purpose  and background  
This activity is to newly designate 2,3-Diethyl -5-methylpyrazine, 
2-(3-Phenylpropyl )pyridine, and 5 -Methyl -6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopentapyrazine  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 Min ister, 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 three  
substances , i.e. 2,3-Diethyl -5-methylpyra zine, 2 -(3-Phenylpropyl)pyridine, and 
5-Methyl -6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopentapyrazine , as food additives . Conclusion of the 
subcommittee is outlined  below.  
 
 
Outline of conclusion  
The Minister should designate  2,3-Diethyl -5-methylpyrazine, 
2-(3-Phenylpropyl)py ridine, and 5 -Methyl -6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopentapyrazine,  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 , 2 and 3 ).   
Attachment 1 
 
2,3-Diethyl -5-methylpyr azine  
 
 
Standard for use  
It shall  not be used for purposes other than flavoring.  
 
Compositional specifications  
 
Substance name:   2,3-Diethyl -5-methylpyrazine   
Structural formula:  
 
NNCH3
CH3H3C
 
 
Molecular formula :  C9H14N2  
Mol. Weight :  150.22  
Chemical name  [CAS number ]:  2,3-Diethyl -5-methylpyrazine  [18138 -04-0] 
Content :  2,3-Diethyl -5-methylpyrazine  contains not less than 98.0% of 
2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine  (C9H14N2).  
Description :  2,3-Diethyl -5-methylpyrazine  occurs as a colorless to light yellow, 
transparent liquid having a characteristic  odor.    
Identification :  Determine the infrared absorption spectrum of 
2,3-Diethyl -5-methylpyraz ine, 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 . 
Purity :   
(1) Refractive index   n20
D: 1.493–1.505 . 
(2) Specific gravity   d
25
25: 0.938–0.957.  
Assay :  Proceed as directed in the Peak Area Percentage Method in the Gas 
Chromatographic Assay under the Flavor Substance Tests. Use operating conditions ( 1). Reference Spectrum  
 
2,3-Diethyl -5-methylpyrazine  
  
Attachment 2  
 
2-(3-Phenylpropyl)pyridine  
 
 
Standard for use  
It shall  not be used for purposes other than flavoring.  
 
Compositional specifications  
Substance name:  2-(3-Phenylpropyl)pyridine   
Structural formula:  
N
 
Molecular formula :  C14H15N 
Mol. Weight :  197.28  
Chemical name  [CAS number ]:  2-(3-Phenylpropyl)pyridin e  [2110 -18-1] 
Content :  2-(3-Phenylpropyl)pyridin e contains not less than 97.0% of 
2-(3-phenylpropyl)pyridin e (C14H15N).  
Description :  2-(3-Phenylpropyl)pyridin e occurs as a colorless, transparent liquid 
having a characteristic  odor.    
Identification :  Determine the infrared absorption spectrum of  
2-(3-Phenylpropyl)pyridi ne, 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 . 
Purity :   
(1) Refractive index   n20
D: 1.558–1.563 . 
(2) Specific gravity   d
25
25: 1.012–1.020.  
Assay :  Proceed as directed in the Peak Area Percentage Method in the Gas 
Chromatographic Assay under the Flavor Substance Tests. Use operating conditions ( 1). 
Raise the column temperature  from 180 °C to 230 °C at a rate of 5 °C/minute and 
maintain for 30 minutes.  Reference Spectrum  
 
2-(3-Phenylpropyl)pyridin e 
 
  
Attachment 3  
 
5-Methyl-6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopentapyra zine  
 
 
Standard for use  
It shall  not be used for purposes other than flavoring.  
 
Compositional specifications  
Substance name:   5-Methyl -6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopentapyrazine    
Structural formula:  
 
Molecular formula :  C8H10N2 
Mol. Weight :  134.18  
Chemical name  [CAS number ]:  5-Methyl -6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopenta [b]pyrazin e   
[23747 -48-0]  
Content :  5-Methyl -6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopentapyrazine  contains not less than 97.0% of 
5-methyl -6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopentapyrazine  (C8H10N2).  
Description :  5-Methyl -6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopentapyraz ine occurs as a light yellow to 
brown, transparent liquid having a characteristic  odor.    
Identification :  Determine the infrared absorption spectrum of  
5-Methyl -6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopentapyrazine , as directed in the Liquid Film Me thod 
under Infrared Spect rophotometry, and compare it with the Reference Spectrum.  Both 
spectra  exhibit absorption s having about the same intensity at the same wavenumbers . 
Purity :   
(1) Refractive index   n20
D: 1.525–1.535 . 
(2) Specific gravity   d
25
25: 1.048–1.059.  
Assay :  Proceed as directed in the Peak Area Percentage Method in the Gas 
Chromatographic Assay under the Flavor Substance Tests. Use operating conditions ( 1).  
  
Reference Spectrum  
 
5-Methyl -6,7-dihydro -5H-cyclopentapyrazine