Chemical Sampling Information
	Isovaleraldehyde
Quick Links General Description Health Factors Monitoring Search    [use word(s)/phrase] Table of Contents By Name A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z By CAS Number General Description Synonyms: Isovaleral; Isopentaldehyde; 3-Methylbutanal; 3-Methylbutyraldehyde OSHA IMIS Code Number: I201 Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 590-86-3 NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: ES3450000 Chemical Description and Physical Properties: molecular formula: C5H10O molecular weight: 86.13 boiling point: 90°C flash point: -5°C melting point: -51°C Potentially hazardous incompatibilities: Health Factors Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, mucous membranes, respiratory system; chest tightness, cough, dyspnea; dizziness, headache, lethargy, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; sweating; tachycardia. Health Effects: Irritation-Eyes, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15) Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system Notes: OSHA does not have a PEL for isovaleraldehyde. A safe level in the workplace of 10 ppm has been suggested on the basis of an aldehyde NOAEL of 50 ppm in rats. Isovaleraldehyde is listed (as 3-methylbutyraldehyde) by the FDA as a synthetic flavoring substance that is permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption (21 CFR 172.515), and it occurs naturally in various foods and flavorings (e.g., coffee, cheese, corn tortilla chips, and orange, lemon and eucalyptus oils). Its level in plasma can be increased by oral feeding of the amino acid leucine. In sensory irritation studies with mice, the RD50 (concentration decreasing respiratory rate in 10 minutes) for isovaleraldehyde was 757-1008 ppm. Inhalation of isovaleraldehyde at 6176 mg/m3 for 10 hours was lethal in 3/5 mice, 5/20 guinea pigs, and 0/5 rabbits. Date Last Revised: 03/07/2007 Literature Basis: Buttery, R.G. and Ling, L.C.: Additional studies on flavor components of corn tortilla chips. J. Agri. Food Chem. 46(7): 2764-2769, 1998. Ford, R.A., Letizia, C. and Api, A.M.: 3-Methylbutyraldehyde. Food Chem. Toxicol. 26(4): 379-380, 1988. Marshall, A.W., DeSouza, M. and Morgan, M.Y.: Plasma 3-methylbutanal in man and its relationship to hepatic encephalopathy. Clin. Physiol. 5(1): 53-62, 1985. No authors listed: SIDS Initial Assessment Report for SIAM 10, 3-Methylbutanal (and) IUCLID Data Set, isovaleraldehyde. UNEP Publications (2002), 58 pp. [159 KB, PDF] Smit, B.A., Engels, W.J., Wouters, J.T. and Smit, G.: Diversity of L-leucine catabolism in various microorganisms involved in dairy fermentations, and identification of the rate-controlling step in the formation of the potent flavour component 3-methylbutanal. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 64(3): 396-402, 2004. Steinhagen, W.H. and Barrow, C.S.: Sensory irritation structure-activity study of inhaled aldehydes in B6C3F1 and Swiss-Webster mice. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 72(3): 495-503, 1984. Monitoring Methods used by OSHA Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method: sampling media: Coated XAD-2 Tube (150/75 mg sections, 20/60 mesh); coating is 10% (w/w) 2-(Hydroxymethyl)piperidine analytical solvent: Toluene maximum volume: 5 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/NPD with GC/MS identification method reference: OSHA Modified NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 2539) [255 KB, PDF] method classification: Partially Validated note: OSHA modification is use of GC/NPD in place of GC/FID. This is a screening method and is not quantitative. sampling media: Silica gel tube coated with acidified 2,4-dinitro-phenyl hydrazine analytical solvent: Acetonitrile maximum volume: 15 Liters   maximum flow rate: 1.5 L/min current analytical method: High Performance Liquid Chromatography, HPLC/UV method reference: NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 2018) [255 KB, PDF] method classification: Partially Validated All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.