alpha-Angelica lactone

Chemical properties

clear colorless to straw yellow liquid

Chemical properties

α-Angelica lactone has a sweet, herbaceous odor reminiscent of tobacco.

Occurrence

Reported found in grape, white bread, soy bean and licorice.

The Uses of alpha-Angelica lactone

alpha-Angelicalactone acts as acancer chemopreventive agent. It is used in the synthesis of glutathione and the activity of glutathione-S-transferase and UDP-glucunonosyltransferase detoxification enzymes in esophagus, stomach, intestine, and liver. It is used in oral care formulations to round out mint notes and in coffee flavors.

Preparation

By dry distillation of levulinic acid

Definition

ChEBI: Alpha-angelica lactone is an angelica lactone and a butenolide. It is functionally related to a but-3-en-4-olide. It is a tautomer of a beta-angelica lactone.

What are the applications of Application

alpha-Angelica lactone finds occasional use in the reconstitution of essential oils. lts intensely sweet-herbaceous, almost tobacco-like odor makes this chemical interesting for application in new fragrance types. However, it would be wise to investigate its pharmacological and dermatological properties first.

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 100 ppm: sweet, creamy, coconut, vanilla hay and coumarin-like nuances

General Description

α-Angelica lactone, a cyclic lactone that occurs naturally in tobacco, is generally used in tobacco flavoring.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Plant-derived cancer chemopreventive agent. Increases the synthesis of glutathione and the activity of glutathione-S-transferase and UDP-glucunonosyltransferase detoxification enzymes in esophagus, stomach, intestine, and liver.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion andintraperitoneal routes. When heated to decomposition itemits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.