Acetoin

Acetoin

3-Hydroxybutanone, also known as acetoin or acetyl methyl carbinol, is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Its formula is C4H8O2. It is a colorless or pale yellow to green yellow liquid with a pleasant buttery odour. It is used as a food flavoring (baked goods) and a fragrance. It can be found in apples, butter, yogurt, asparagus, black currants, blackberry, wheat, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cantaloupe.

Acetoin has a bland, woody, yogurt odor with a fatty creamy "tub" butter taste and is useful as a butter, milk, yogurt or strawberry flavor. According to a 1997 Philip Morris Trade Secret Ingredient List with Functions, acetoin is added to cigarettes as a flavorant. search_term=acetoin