MOLECULE

Methyl anthranilate

Methyl anthranilate or Methyl 2-aminobenzoate, also known as 2-carbomethoxyaniline, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as benzoic acid esters. These are ester derivatives of benzoic acid. Methyl anthranilate is a moderately basic compound (based on its pKa). It has a fruity grape smell, and one of its key uses is as a flavoring agent. Methyl 2-aminobenzoate is a bitter, flower, and fruity tasting compound. Methyl 2-aminobenzoate has been detected, but not quantified, in several different foods, such as tea, fruits, limes. Methyl anthranilate is known to occur naturally in the Concord grapes and other Vitis labrusca grapes and hybrids thereof. It has also been detected in bergamot, black locust, champak, gardenia, jasmine, lemon, mandarin orange, neroli, oranges, rue oil, strawberry, tuberose, wisteria, galangal, and ylang ylang. It is also a primary component of the essential apple flavor, along with ethyl acetate and ethyl butyrate. Methyl anthranilate is used extensively in modern perfumery. Methyl anthranilate has been reported to be a volatile component in cannabis samples (PMID: 26657499).