Phenyl ethyl is an organic compound derived from ethylbenzene by removing one hydrogen atom from the terminal carbon of the ethyl chain. It is a primary alcohol and a member of benzenes. It has a pleasant floral, rose-like odor, and thus, it is often used in flavors and fragrances where the scent of rose is desired. Phenethyl alcohol is found in the extract of carnation, rose, hyacinth, orange blossom, Aleppo pine, ylang-ylang, neroli, geranium, and champaca. Therefore, it is a common ingredient in flavors and fragrances, when the odor of rose is desired.
Phenyl ethyl is widely used in various
end-use industries, such as cosmetics and personal care, food preservatives,
and pharmaceutical industries for a wide variety of applications. Thus, there
is an increasing demand for phenyl ethyl around the world. Due to its
antimicrobial, antiseptic, and disinfectant properties, phenyl ethyl is widely
used in the pharmaceutical industry and is also used as an aromatic essence in
perfumery. It is also used in the formulation of makeup products, skincare
products, shampoos, and colognes in cosmetics & personal care products.
Moreover, phenyl ethyl compounds are used
as scent enhancers and preservatives in cosmetic and personal care products to
increase the shelf life of cosmetic and personal care products. The compound is
also used in food products as a flavoring agent. Phenyl ethyl isothiocyanate has also
been studied for its potential for chemoprevention of cancers, such as prostate
cancer. Phenyl ethyl isothiocyanate not only inhibits the initiation phase of
the carcinogenesis process but also prevents the progression of tumor origin.
Emerging evidence suggests that phenyl
ethyl isothiocyanate may exert its anti-cancer effects through epigenetic
mechanisms including microRNAs. Thus, with the growing pharmaceutical and
cosmetics & personal care industries, the demand for the phenyl ethyl market is also
increasing at a rapid pace. The U.S. beauty and personal care products market
was valued at US$ 81.1 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach US$ 128.7
billion in 2030.