maltol

Maltol is a naturally occurring organic compound isolated from pine needles, larch bark, the destructive distillates of various organic materials and the alkaline hydrolysis products of streptomycin. Because of caramel-butterscotch odor, and suggestive of fruity-strawberry aroma in dilute solutions, maltol is used as a food additive mainly in confectionary and bakery products. Maltol is considered safe by FDA according to existing data and granted GRAS status. Maltol chelates metal ions such as Fe3+, Al3+, and is reported to increase uptake of aluminum and iron in the body. Maltol was reported to have a neuroprotective effect on retinal ganglion cells under oxidative stress, and hepatoprotective effect on alcohol-induced liver oxidative injury. — NCATS