**(E,E)-Farnesol** is a specific stereoisomer of the natural sesquiterpene alcohol **farnesol** (C₁₅H₂₆O), widely recognized for its biological activities and applications in cosmetics, medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Below are its key uses:
### **1. Cosmetics & Fragrance**
- **Perfumery**:
- Used as a **fixative** in high-end perfumes (e.g., floral and woody notes in Chanel N°5).
- Provides a fresh, green, and slightly sweet aroma.
- **Skincare**:
- **Anti-aging**: Stimulates collagen production via PPARγ activation.
- **Acne control**: Inhibits *Cutibacterium acnes* (0.1–0.5% in cleansers).
### **2. Pharmaceuticals**
- **Antimicrobial**:
- Disrupts **biofilms** of *Candida albicans* (synergistic with fluconazole).
- Potential against **MRSA** (methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus*).
- **Cancer Research**:
- Induces apoptosis in leukemia cells (HL-60) via ROS generation.
- **Anti-inflammatory**:
- Suppresses NF-κB to reduce asthma-related inflammation.
### **3. Agriculture**
- **Pest Management**:
- **Insect repellent**: Disrupts pheromone communication in aphids and termites.
- **Bee attractant**: Mimics queen bee pheromones for hive monitoring.
- **Plant Defense**:
- Elicits jasmonic acid pathways to enhance crop resistance (e.g., tomatoes vs. *Botrytis*).
### **4. Food & Preservation**
- **Natural preservative**:
- Inhibits aflatoxin-producing molds (e.g., *Aspergillus flavus*) in stored grains.
- **Flavor enhancer**:
- Subtle fruity notes in beverages (<10 ppm).
### **5. Industrial Biotechnology**
- **Biofuel precursor**:
- Engineered yeast convert (E,E)-farnesol to **farnesene** (renewable diesel).
### **Safety & Regulations**
- **Low toxicity** (Oral LD₅₀ >5 g/kg in rats).
- **IFRA limits**: ≤1.5% in perfumes, ≤0.1% in leave-on skincare.
- **Oxidation-sensitive**: Requires antioxidants (e.g., BHT) in formulations.
### **Example Products**
| **Application** | **Product** | **Role** |
|-----------------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Perfume | Dior J’adore | Fixative/odor enhancer |
| Antifungal therapy | Oral rinse (research phase) | *Candida* biofilm inhibitor |
| Organic pesticide | EcoTrol® | Aphid repellent |
China
