This section provides an overview of gamma-valerolactone (γ-valerolactone), covering its manufacturing processes and regulatory status, applications in food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, flavours, and fragrance industries. Also, please check out the introduction to gamma-valerolactone manufacturers, supply chain issues, gamma-valerolactone suppliers, and gamma-valerolactone prices. Sinofi can help you buy gamma-valerolactone at bulk wholesale prices based on FEMA 3103 and CAS 108-29-2.
Table of Contents
What is Gamma-Valerolactone?
Gamma-valerolactone, also known as 5-methyloxolan-2-one, is a cyclic ester compound with significant roles in flavour chemistry. Its unique sensory characteristics and favorable technical properties make it particularly relevant for developing complex flavour profiles across various food and beverage applications. Gamma-valerolactone features a five-membered ring structure with a methyl substituent at the gamma position, which distinguishes it from its structural analogue, gamma-butyrolactone. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), gamma-valerolactone is approved to be used in the flavour, fragrance, and food industries.
Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations
Gamma-valerolactone has been evaluated by relevant regulatory authorities like JECFA, EFSA, RIFM, ECHACHEM, NIST, and WHO. It holds Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for use as a flavouring substance in the United States, as affirmed by the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). The compound appears on FEMA’s priority list with appropriate use levels established for various food categories. It is also approved for use in flavouring applications in many other jurisdictions, including the European Union, where it is listed in the flavouring regulation framework. The fragrance standard of gamma-valerolactone has been set by organizations such as IFRA.
Natural Occurrence
Gamma-valerolactone occurs naturally in various food products, contributing to their characteristic flavour profiles. It has been identified in fruits such as strawberries, peaches, and apricots, where it works synergistically with other lactones and esters to create the full, rounded character associated with these fruits. The compound also appears in fermented products, dairy items, and certain cooked foods, where it develops through various biochemical and thermal processes.
Sensory Profile and Flavour Characteristics
From a sensory perspective, gamma-valerolactone presents a sweet, creamy, and coconut-like character with subtle herbaceous undertones. The compound exhibits a somewhat peach-like quality at lower concentrations, while higher levels can introduce more pronounced coconut and creamy notes. This concentration-dependent character makes it particularly useful for adjusting the depth and roundness of fruit flavours without overwhelming the overall profile. The odor threshold is relatively low, allowing flavour formulators to achieve significant sensory impact at modest use levels, typically ranging from 0.1 to 10 parts per million, depending on the application and desired intensity.
CAS No.: 108-29-2
According to the American Chemical Society, the CAS number of gamma-valerolactone is 108-29-2.
CAS Name: Gamma-Valerolactone
Molecular Formula: C5H8O2
Molecular Mass: 100.12
Appearance: Colorless to light yellow, clear liquid.
JECFA Number: 220
Food Chemicals Codex Listed: Yes
Melting Point: -31.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Boiling Point: 207.00 to 208.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Solubility: Miscible with alcohol, most fixed oils, and water.
Other Names:
♦ gamma-Valerolactone
♦γ-Pentanolide
♦γ-Valerolactone
♦ 4-Hydroxypentanoic acid lactone
♦ gamma-Pentalactone
♦ 4-Hydroxyvaleric acid lactone
♦ 4-Methyl-gamma-butyrolactone
♦ gamma-Methyl-gamma-butyrolactone
Gamma-Valerolactone Odor
Odor Strength: Medium
Substantivity: 2 hours at 100.00 %
Odor Description: At 100.00 %, herbal, sweet, warm tobacco, cocoa, woody.
FEMA Number 3103
According to the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), the FEMA number of gamma-valerolactone is 3103.
Bulk Gamma-Valerolactone Manufacturers
The bulk manufacturing sector for gamma-valerolactone represents a specialized segment within the broader flavour and fragrance chemicals industry. Top gamma-valerolactone manufacturers like Lluch Essence and Givaudan maintain extensive portfolios of aroma chemicals and flavour ingredients. Chinese gamma-valerolactone manufacturers have emerged as a dominant force in the production landscape, with numerous chemical synthesis facilities producing alongside related lactone compounds. They benefit from integrated chemical infrastructure, competitive production costs, and established expertise in cyclic ester synthesis. European manufacturers maintain an important presence in the market, particularly companies with historical strengths in aroma chemicals and specialty organic compounds. They typically emphasize quality consistency, regulatory compliance, and technical support capabilities that appeal to customers in the food and beverage sectors where stringent specifications and documentation requirements prevail. European production tends to command premium pricing based on established reputation, comprehensive quality systems, and proximity to major flavour houses and end users within the region.
Sinofi is a bulk gamma-valerolactone manufacturer in China, and we have a manufacturing facility with 2,500 square meters for the production of gamma-valerolactone. We supply high-quality gamma-valerolactone at bulk prices and serve food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, flavours, and fragrance industries worldwide.
Manufacturing Process of Gamma-Valerolactone
Primary Synthetic Routes
The industrial production of γ-valerolactone proceeds predominantly through two major synthetic approaches, each with distinct advantages and limitations. The first and most widely employed route involves the oxidation of methylcyclopentane or related cyclic precursors, followed by ring-opening and subsequent lactonization. The second approach utilizes levulinic acid or its esters as starting materials, employing catalytic hydrogenation to form the desired lactone structure. Selection between these routes depends on factors including raw material availability and cost, capital equipment requirements, process economics, and the purity specifications demanded by target markets.
The oxidation-based synthesis begins with methylcyclopentane, which undergoes controlled oxidation using air or oxygen in the presence of suitable catalysts. This reaction must be carefully managed to achieve selective oxidation at the desired position while minimizing over-oxidation and formation of unwanted byproducts. The oxidation step typically employs transition metal catalysts, often containing cobalt or manganese species, operating at elevated temperatures ranging from 120 to 180 degrees Celsius and moderate pressures. The resulting oxidized intermediate contains carbonyl functionality that enables subsequent transformation to the lactone structure through a series of reactions involving ring opening and intramolecular esterification.
The levulinic acid route offers an alternative pathway that has gained attention due to the potential availability of levulinic acid from renewable biomass sources. In this approach, levulinic acid undergoes catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of metal catalysts, commonly based on ruthenium, palladium, or copper-chromium systems. The hydrogenation reduces the ketone functionality to a hydroxyl group, generating 4-hydroxypentanoic acid as an intermediate. This hydroxy acid spontaneously cyclizes under the reaction conditions or during subsequent workup to form the five-membered lactone ring through elimination of water. The reaction typically operates at elevated hydrogen pressures between 50 and 200 bar and temperatures of 100 to 250°C, depending on the specific catalyst system employed.
Bulk Gamma-Valerolactone Suppliers
The global supply for bulk gamma-valerolactone encompasses a diverse array of participants operating at different levels of the value chain. Top gamma-valerolactone suppliers like Lluch Essence and Givaudan maintain important positions in the supply network despite generally higher cost structures compared to Chinese producers. They differentiate themselves through established quality systems, comprehensive regulatory documentation, technical service capabilities, and reputational advantages built over decades of serving demanding customers in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Chinese gamma-valerolactone suppliers dominate the global supply, offering competitive pricing structures and substantial output capabilities. These suppliers range from large integrated chemical companies with extensive product portfolios to mid-sized specialists focusing on lactones and related cyclic compounds.
Sinofi is a bulk gamma-valerolactone supplier in China, and we have a warehouse with 1,200 square meters for high-quality gamma-valerolactone. We sell different grades of gamma-valerolactone at wholesale prices, serving end-users in food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, flavours, and fragrance industries.
Supply Chain of Gamma-Valerolactone
The global supply chain for gamma-valerolactone represents a multi-tiered network that transforms raw chemical feedstocks into a refined specialty ingredient serving the flavour, fragrance, and pharmaceutical industries.
Supply Chain Architecture and Structural Overview
The gamma-valerolactone supply chain operates through a hierarchical structure comprising five distinct tiers, each performing specific functions and adding value as materials progress from basic petrochemical or biochemical feedstocks to finished products in consumer applications.
At the foundation of the supply chain lie raw material suppliers who provide the basic chemical building blocks necessary for γ-valerolactone synthesis. These suppliers typically operate large-scale petrochemical facilities producing commodity chemicals such as cyclopentane derivatives, levulinic acid, or other organic compounds that serve as feedstocks for lactone production. The second tier comprises γ-valerolactone manufacturers who transform raw feedstocks into γ-valerolactone through established synthetic routes involving oxidation, hydrogenation, or other chemical transformations. These manufacturers represent the critical value-creation node where commodity chemicals become specialized compounds with defined quality specifications.
Distribution and trading entities occupy the third tier, serving as intermediaries between manufacturers and end users. These participants purchase bulk material from manufacturers and provide value through services including inventory management, repackaging into smaller quantities, quality assurance, regulatory documentation support, and logistics coordination. Some distributors specialize in particular industries such as flavours and fragrances, while others maintain broader chemical portfolios serving multiple end-use sectors.
The fourth tier consists of formulation companies, primarily flavour houses and fragrance manufacturers, who incorporate γ-valerolactone into complex mixtures designed for specific sensory profiles and applications. The formulation tier adds significant value by transforming individual chemical ingredients into proprietary compositions that deliver specific sensory experiences and functional benefits in finished products.
End-use manufacturers in the food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, flavours, and fragrance industries occupy the fifth tier, incorporating γ-valerolactone into products that reach final consumers. These companies typically procure formulated flavours rather than individual chemical ingredients, though some larger organizations maintain internal flavour development capabilities and source ingredients directly from earlier supply chain tiers.
Wholesale and Buy Gamma-Valerolactone in Bulk
Wholesale and bulk procurement of gamma-valerolactone demands strategic thinking, systematic supplier evaluation, careful attention to quality assurance, and disciplined execution of procurement processes. It presents both opportunities and challenges that gamma-valerolactone buyers must navigate to achieve optimal cost structures while maintaining supply reliability and product quality.
Bulk Purchasing Fundamentals
Bulk procurement of gamma-valerolactone differs substantially from purchasing smaller quantities through standard distribution channels. The definition of bulk purchasing in this market typically encompasses orders ranging from several hundred kilograms to multiple metric tons, though precise thresholds vary among suppliers. Manufacturers generally offer more favorable pricing for bulk orders that align with their production batch sizes or enable efficient container loading for international shipment. The wholesale market for gamma-valerolactone operates through multiple channels, including direct manufacturer sourcing, distributor bulk programs, and trading company arrangements. Direct manufacturer relationships typically provide the most competitive per-unit pricing for organizations meeting minimum volume thresholds, which commonly range from five hundred kilograms to two metric tons, depending on the supplier and production schedule.
Supplier Evaluation and Selection Criteria
Effective bulk procurement begins with systematic supplier evaluation addressing multiple dimensions beyond simple price comparison. Quality consistency represents the foremost consideration, as variations in purity levels, impurity profiles, or sensory characteristics can disrupt production operations and affect finished product performance. Gamma-valerolactone buyers should request analytical certificates from multiple production batches. Independent verification testing of supplier samples through qualified laboratories provides additional assurance and identifies potential quality issues before committing to supply relationships.
As a bulk gamma-valerolactone manufacturer and supplier in China, we wholesale this ingredient to end users in the food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, flavours, and fragrance industries. We also supply it to small customers. Normally, they want to buy gamma-valerolactone in small quantities. To serve them, we can sell gamma-valerolactone at bulk prices and provide a one-stop purchasing service.
Gamma-Valerolactone Prices (USD/Kg)
Food Grade Gamma-Valerolactone Prices (GC Content >=99.0%)
| Volume | Unit Price | Shipment |
| 50g | 10 USD | Express |
| 500g | 50 USD | Express |
| 1Kg | 72 USD/Kg | Express |
| 20Kg | 25% cheaper | Express |
| 100Kg-Above | negotiable | Express / Sea |
The gamma-valerolactone pricing reflects the complex interplay of supply-side economics, demand patterns, raw material costs, competitive dynamics, and regional market characteristics that define specialized chemical markets. The global market for gamma-valerolactone exhibits price differentiation across multiple dimensions, including quality grades, order volumes, geographic regions, and supplier categories. Food grade gamma-valerolactone typically commands prices ranging from approximately 40 to 80 USD per kilogram at the manufacturer level for bulk quantities, though significant variation exists depending on specific circumstances and market conditions. The substantial price differential between bulk manufacturer pricing and small-quantity distributor rates reflects the economic realities of specialty chemical distribution, including inventory carrying costs, repackaging expenses, administrative overhead, and the higher per-unit logistics costs associated with smaller shipments. The price gradient creates natural market segmentation with large flavour houses and chemical companies sourcing bulk quantities directly from manufacturers, while smaller buyers, research organizations, and occasional users rely on distributor networks despite higher pricing.
Quality differentiation introduces another pricing dimension, with higher purity grade gamma-valerolactone meeting specialized certification requirements commanding premiums above standard food-grade material. As the pharmaceutical grade gamma-valerolactone is produced under good manufacturing practice conditions with enhanced documentation, its price is 15%-30% higher than that of food-grade material.
Fundamental Price Determinants
Raw material costs represent the most significant driver of gamma-valerolactone pricing, as feedstock expenses typically constitute 40%-60% of total manufacturing costs depending on the synthetic route employed and production efficiency achieved.
Furthermore, the above gamma-valerolactone price quotations do not include the express shipping fee. The reason is that the shipment cost may exceed the value of the gamma-valerolactone sample. However, the bulk wholesale prices of gamma-valerolactone will be much lower than those of small orders. Please contact us for more details.
Gamma-Valerolactone Specification
| Appearance: | Colorless to light yellow, clear liquid. |
| Odor: | Herbal, sweet, warm tobacco, cocoa, woody. |
| Purity (GC) | >=99% |
| Refractive Index (20°C) | 1.431-1.434 |
| Specific Gravity (25°C) | 1.047-1.054 |
| Heavy Metal (as Pb, mg/Kg) | <=10 |
| As (mg/Kg) | <=3 |
Gamma-Valerolactone Uses
Gamma-valerolactone serves as a versatile chemical compound with applications spanning multiple industries, though its primary commercial significance derives from its role as a flavouring agent. The molecular structure of this five-membered cyclic ester, combined with its distinctive sensory properties and favorable technical characteristics, enables functionality in formulations ranging from food products to pharmaceutical preparations.
Primary Applications in Flavour Formulation
The predominant commercial use of γ-valerolactone occurs in flavour formulations where it serves as an essential building block for creating complex, appealing sensory profiles in food and beverage products. Flavour houses worldwide maintain this compound in their ingredient libraries and incorporate it regularly into proprietary formulations serving diverse applications. The compound proves particularly valuable in stone fruit flavours where it contributes to the characteristic peach, apricot, and nectarine profiles that consumers expect in products ranging from yogurt to beverages to confectionery. In these applications, γ-valerolactone works synergistically with other lactones, esters, and aldehydes to create multi-dimensional fruit character that approaches the complexity of natural fruit flavours while providing the consistency and cost-effectiveness that commercial production requires.
Tropical fruit flavours represent another significant application area where γ-valerolactone delivers distinctive contributions. Coconut flavours benefit substantially from the compound’s inherent coconut-like character, with formulations often incorporating γ-valerolactone alongside other lactones and specialty ingredients to achieve authentic coconut profiles suitable for applications including confectionery coatings, frozen desserts, beverages, and baked goods. Pineapple formulations similarly utilize the compound as a supporting ingredient that adds body and tropical character, complementing the brighter, more acidic notes from esters and other flavour chemicals. The versatility of γ-valerolactone in tropical applications extends to more complex profiles such as mango, passion fruit, and exotic fruit blends, where it provides background richness and helps integrate diverse flavour components into cohesive sensory experiences.
Dairy and cream flavours constitute a third major application category where γ-valerolactone serves essential functions. The compound’s inherent creamy character makes it valuable for building butter, cream, and milk flavours used in applications ranging from dairy products themselves to bakery fillings, confectionery, and ice cream. In these contexts, γ-valerolactone adds perceived richness and mouthfeel alongside actual sensory contributions, creating impressions of indulgence and quality that enhance consumer appeal. Vanilla formulations frequently incorporate the compound as a modifier that adds depth and smoothness, softening any harsh notes and creating more rounded, satisfying vanilla profiles suitable for premium applications.
Beyond these primary categories, γ-valerolactone finds utility in numerous other flavour applications where its unique sensory characteristics address specific formulation challenges. Nut flavours occasionally incorporate the compound to add creamy, sweet notes that complement the roasted, brown characteristics from pyrazines and other nut-typical ingredients. Berry flavours may include small amounts to add body and integrate tart, fruity notes into more balanced profiles. Even in applications where γ-valerolactone does not directly match the target flavour profile, experienced flavourists utilize the compound as a blending tool that helps marry disparate ingredients and creates harmony in complex formulations.
Food and Beverage Product Applications
The translation of flavour formulations containing γ-valerolactone into finished food and beverage products spans virtually all major categories where added flavouring plays a role in product appeal and consumer acceptance. Dairy products, including yogurt, ice cream, flavoured milk, and desserts, represent substantial application volumes where fruit, vanilla, and specialty flavours incorporating γ-valerolactone enhance eating experiences and differentiate products in competitive markets. The compound’s stability in dairy matrices and compatibility with processing conditions typical of these products facilitate straightforward incorporation without technical complications or unexpected interactions that might compromise product quality or shelf life.
Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Applications
Beyond food applications, γ-valerolactone serves functional roles in pharmaceutical preparations and nutraceutical products where flavouring addresses the palatability challenges inherent in many medicinal formulations. Pharmaceutical companies developing liquid medications, chewable tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and pediatric formulations incorporate flavouring systems that may include γ-valerolactone to mask unpleasant active pharmaceutical ingredient tastes and create acceptable patient experiences that support medication adherence. The compound’s regulatory status as a food-grade flavouring agent facilitates use in pharmaceutical applications, though manufacturers must ensure compliance with pharmaceutical good manufacturing practices and relevant pharmacopeial standards governing excipient materials.
Personal Care and Cosmetic Applications
The fragrance industry occasionally utilizes γ-valerolactone in compositions where its sweet, creamy character contributes to desired olfactory profiles, though usage levels remain modest compared to food flavouring applications. Personal care products, including lotions, creams, shampoos, and body washes, may incorporate fragrances containing the compound to deliver pleasant sensory experiences that enhance product appeal and support brand positioning. The lactone’s character proves particularly suitable for tropical or fruity fragrance themes where coconut, peach, or general fruit notes align with product concepts and target consumer preferences.
Gamma-Valerolactone Benefits
Sensory and Flavour Performance Benefits
The primary benefit of γ-valerolactone in commercial applications derives from its distinctive sensory profile that enables the creation of appealing, complex flavour experiences difficult to achieve through alternative means.
Technical and Functional Benefits
Beyond sensory contributions, γ-valerolactone delivers important technical benefits that facilitate formulation development and ensure reliable product performance. The compound exhibits excellent solubility in both aqueous and lipophilic systems, enabling straightforward incorporation into diverse formulation matrices without phase separation, precipitation, or stability challenges that might compromise product quality or shelf life. This broad solubility profile proves particularly valuable for formulators working across multiple product formats who seek ingredient standardization to simplify operations and reduce complexity in ingredient management systems. A single material that performs reliably across beverages, dairy products, confectionery, and baked goods reduces the need for application-specific alternatives that complicate inventory management and increase procurement costs.
Chemical Stability Benefits
The chemical stability of γ-valerolactone under typical food processing conditions represents a significant functional advantage that ensures consistent flavour delivery throughout manufacturing operations and subsequent product shelf life. The compound withstands pasteurization temperatures commonly employed in dairy and beverage processing without significant degradation or loss, maintaining sensory impact in finished products that matches formulation intent. This thermal stability extends to baking applications where many more volatile flavour chemicals suffer substantial losses during oven exposure, requiring overages that increase costs and create uncertainty regarding finished product characteristics. The ability to predict and control flavour intensity based on initial dosing rather than accounting for processing losses simplifies formulation development and improves manufacturing consistency.
A Chocolate Flavouring Containing A Maillard Reactant
Comprising the following components: flavour base, flavour enhancer, chocolate Maillard reaction product, caramel color, and solvent.
The flavour base is a blend of acetic acid, butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, isovaleric acid, hexanoic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, decanoic acid, strawberry acid, phenylacetic acid, butyraldehyde, isobutyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, cocoa hexenal, octadecanal, ethyl decanoate, ethyl phenylacetate, gamma-valerolactone, gamma-heptalactone, gamma-octanolactone, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 2-acetylpyrazine, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, tetramethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, cocoa extract, and benzyl alcohol.
The flavour enhancer is a blend of furanone, ethyl maltol, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, methyl cyclopentenolone, and dimethylglyoxal.
The solvent is propylene glycol.
The Maillard reactant for chocolate was prepared in-house. The preparation method includes the following steps:
Step 1): 8.75 kg Nestlé cocoa powder, 0.35 kg Nestlé coffee powder, 2.45 kg white sugar, 2.45 kg glucose, 0.7 kg D-xylose, 0.455 kg L-glutamic acid, 1.05 kg glycine, 0.0525 kg L-leucine, 0.0525 kg L-arginine, 0.0525 kg DL-valine, 0.035 kg L-valine, 0.175 kg L-phenylalanine, 0.07 kg ethyl vanillin, 5.25 kg distilled water, 12.215 kg propylene glycol, 0.35 kg yam extract, 0.35 kg black ginger extract, and 0.35 kg Garcinia Cambogia extract were added to a mixing tank and stirred at 120 rpm for 15 minutes until homogeneous, yielding the substrate.
Step 2): Heat the substrate to 115℃, stir at 120 r/min for 1.5 h, and cool to room temperature to obtain the chocolate Maillard reactant.
The preparation method of chocolate flavouring containing Maillard reactants is as follows (Unit: kg):
Step a), acetic acid 0.03, butyric acid 0.06, 2-methylbutyric acid 0.12, isovaleric acid 0.012, hexanoic acid 0.0148, octanoic acid 0.03, decanoic acid 0.04, strawberry acid 0.02, phenylacetic acid 0.03, butyraldehyde 0.06, isobutyraldehyde 0.33, isovaleraldehyde 0.9, phenylacetaldehyde 0.0148, cocoa hexenal 0.006, octadecanal 0.028, ethyl decanoate 0.004, ethyl phenylacetate 0.0088, gamma-valerolactone 0.016, gamma-heptanolactone 0.004, gamma-octanolactone 0.004, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol 0.012, 2-acetylpyrazine 0.004, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine 0.03, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine 0.82, tetramethylpyrazine 0.52, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine 0.148, cocoa extract 0.18, benzyl alcohol 0.1, furanone 0.26, ethyl maltol 1.5, vanillin 5, ethyl vanillin 3.14, methyl cyclopentenolone 0.108, butanedione 0.02, propylene glycol 47.4256 were added to a stirred tank and stirred at 120 rpm for 30 min to obtain a premix.
Step b) Add 35 kg of chocolate Maillard reactant and 4 kg of caramel coloring to the premix, stir at 120 r/min for 15 min to obtain chocolate flavouring containing chocolate Maillard reactant.
In conclusion, gamma-valerolactone represents a valuable ingredient in food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, flavours, and fragrance industries, offering versatility, technical reliability, and distinctive sensory properties. As a bulk gamma-valerolactone manufacturer and supplier in China, we sell different grades of gamma-valerolactone at wholesale prices to clients around the world.