Vanillin

Functional Category

Flavoring agent.

Applications in Pharmaceutical Formulation or

Technology

Vanillin is widely used as a flavor in pharmaceuticals, foods, beverages, and confectionery products, to which it imparts a

characteristic taste and odor of natural vanilla. It is also used in perfumes, as an analytical reagent and as an intermediate in the

synthesis of a number of pharmaceuticals, particularly methyldopa. Additionally, it has been investigated as a potential therapeutic

agent in sickle cell anemia and is claimed to have some antifungalproperties. In food applications, vanillin has been investigated as a

preservative. As a pharmaceutical excipient, vanillin is used in tablets, solutions (0.01–0.02% w/v), syrups, and powders to mask the

unpleasant taste and odor characteristics of certain formulations, such as caffeine tablets and polythiazide tablets. It is similarly used

in film coatings to mask the taste and odor of vitamin tablets. Vanillin has also been investigated as a photostabilizer in

furosemide 1% w/v injection, haloperidol 0.5% w/v injection, and thiothixene 0.2% w/v injection.

Description

White or cream, crystalline needles or powder with characteristic

vanilla odor and sweet taste.