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.
Uses
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.
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.
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.
Preparation
By dry distillation of levulinic acid
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.
