Vanillylacetone, which is used as a flavor additive in spice oils and in perfumery to introduce spicy aromas, is similar in chemical structure to flavor chemicals such as vanillin and eugenol.

D-Malic acid is a dicarboxylic acid that is made by all living organisms. Malic acid has two stereoisomeric forms (L- and D-enantiomers). The malate anion is an intermediate in the citric acid cycle.

4-Hydroxybenzoic acid is a monohydroxybenzoic acid, a phenolic derivative of benzoic acid. It is a white crystalline solid that is slightly soluble in water and chloroform but more soluble in polar organic solvents such as alcohols and acetone.