Ethyl valerate is a substance responsible for green apple flavor. It has various applications in the food and cosmetic industry.

Ethyl butyrate (C6H12O2) also known as ethyl butanoate, or butyric ether is an ester. Ethyl butyrate is used as an extract, as a flavoring or perfume, and as a solvent. It is a colorless liquid with a banana, orange or pineapple odor, and it is flammable. Exposure to ethyl butyrate can irritate the skin, eye, nose and throat. Applications include: artificial flavoring resembling orange juice or pineapple in alcoholic beverages, as a solvent in perfumes, and as a plasticizer for cellulose.

Diethyl sebacate is a diethyl ester of sebacic acid. Diethyl sebacate is widely used in the plastics industry and in petroleum lubricant manufacture as an antiwear additive. In the food industry it is used as a flavoring agent.

Ethyl maltol, a key food additive, and flavor enhancer is safe and is the most common sweet-associated component in electronic cigarette liquids. Ethyl maltol binds to human serum albumin (HSA) by situating within subdomain IIA (site I) of HSA.

Diethyl phthalate is a colourless liquid with a slight aromatic odour and low volatility. Diethyl phthalate is used as a plasticizer for cellulose ester plastic films and sheets (photographic, blister packaging, and tape applications) and moulded and extruded articles (consumer articles such as toothbrushes, automotive components, tool handles, and toys). Diethyl phthalate was reported as an ingredient in 67 cosmetic formulations. Diethyl phthalate is used as a component in insecticide sprays and mosquito repellents. Diethyl phthalate is likely to undergo biodegradation in the environment. General population exposure in the USA, as estimated from urinary concentrations of the monoester, was estimated to be 12 µg/kg body weight per day (median value). Dermally applied diethyl phthalate penetrates the skin and can be widely distributed in the body, but it does not accumulate in tissue. Diethyl phthalate has irritant effects on the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes and can lead to central nervous system (CNS) effects in exposed workers. The exposure to diethyl phthalates (DEP), a parent compound of the monoethyl phthalate (MEP) metabolite, may be associated with increased risk of BC (Odds Ratio of 2.20, p value for trend, p<0.003).

Ethyl acetate is a widely used synthetic solvent. It is used in cosmetics and considered to be safe. Ethyl acetate is cited as a direct and indirect food additive as detailed in the Code of Federal Regulations. Ethyl acetate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use as a synthetic flavor and/or adjuvant; limitations on concentrations of use were not specified. Ethyl acetate was tested for in vitro in human breast cancer cell line and demonstrated considerable cytotoxicity.

Ethyl vanillin is an important food additive and flavouring agent approved by FAO/WHO, has a vanilla odor four times that of vanillin and shows anti-mutagenic activity. It is used as flavoring agent and/or as an additive by the food, cosmetic, or pharmaceutic industries. Ethyl vanillin possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidant activity of ethyl vanillin was much stronger than that of vanillin in the oxidative hemolysis inhibition assay, but was the same as that of vanillin in the ORAC assay. Oral administration of ethyl vanillin to mice increased the concentration of ethyl vanillic acid, and effectively raised antioxidant activity in the plasma as compared to the effect of vanillin. The antioxidant activity of ethyl vanillin might be more beneficial than has been thought in daily health practice. The anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties of EVA are based on its suppressive effect on the production of nitric oxide possibly via decreasing the reactive oxygen species level.