Cinnamic aldehyde

Cinnamaldehyde, 3-phenyl-2-propenal is an organic, yellowish, oily liquid belonging to the phenylpropanoids group of substances with an intense cinnamon odor that is slightly soluble in water and miscible with ethanol and ether. Alongside eugenol, cinnamaldehyde is one of the active ingredients determining the medicinal effect and is also the main flavoring agent of Cinnamomi cassiae cortex and Cinnamomi ceylanici cortex of the Chinese and Ceylon cinnamon bark. The substance is obtained from the bark of the Ceylonese and Chinese cinnamon tree - Cinnamomum verum and cinnamomum aromaticum (cassia) - by steam distillation. Cinnamaldehyde can be oxidized to benzoic acid by oxidizing agents (e.g. potassium permanganate or ozone).

Cosmetic: Cinnamaldehyde plays a major role in the cosmetics industry as a flavoring agent (and denaturant) under the INCI name cinnamal (e.g. in lipsticks and body care products).

In the food industry: Cinnamaldehyde is even more important in the food industry as a spice.

Cinnamic aldehyde can cause contact allergic local reactions as well as anaphylactic reactions when taken orally or inhaled.
Patients with a cinnamic aldehyde allergy often react to Peru balsam at the same time.

Cinnamic aldehyde is a component of the so-called"fragrance mix" in the epicutaneous tests and is tested epicutaneously in 1% vaseline.

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