Uses of esters
5 marks · HardA company is designing a new skincare lotion and a fruit-flavoured soft drink. They wish to add esters to both products.
State a reason why esters are added to skincare lotions.
Explain why esters are commonly chosen to flavour fruit-based soft drinks.
Name one property of esters that makes them suitable for both products.
Suggest another everyday product, not mentioned above, that commonly contains esters for a similar reason.
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(a) To give a pleasant or fruity smell (as a fragrance or perfume ingredient)
(b) Esters are often used to imitate the natural fruity flavours found in fruit-based soft drinks because they have sweet, fruity smells and tastes.
(c) They are volatile liquids or have a sweet/fruity smell.
(d) Chewing gum, scented candles, or bath products like bubble bath.
Show mark scheme and worked solution
Marking points
B1 (a) · 1 mark · States that esters are used to give a pleasant/fruity smell or as fragrance ingredients in skincare lotions.
M1 (b) · 1 mark · Mentions imitation/addition of fruity flavour to soft drinks, or refers to sweet/fruity taste or smell in context of food.
A1 (b) · 1 mark · Clearly explains it is because esters produce (or have) distinctive, fruity/sweet smells that are present in fruits.
B2 (c) · 1 mark · Names a property such as volatility or distinctive fruity smell/sweetness.
B3 (d) · 1 mark · Suggests a correct everyday product: e.g., chewing gum, soaps, bath bubbles, air fresheners, scented candles.
Worked solution
a) Esters are added to skincare lotions to give them a pleasant fragrance or a fruity smell.
b) Esters are chosen to flavour fruit-based soft drinks because they have sweet, fruity smells similar to those found in many fruits. This helps recreate or enhance the fruit flavour.
c) Esters are volatile liquids (they evaporate easily) and have distinctive, sweet/fruity smells that make them suitable for both lotions and drinks.
d) An example is scented candles, chewing gum, or bath bubbles – these often contain esters for their fragrance or taste.