Acetoin
Information about Acetoin
| Chemical Compound | |
|---|---|
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | |
| PubChem CID | |
| ChemSpider ID | |
| UNII | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| Properties | |
| Chemical Formula | |
| Molar Mass | |
| Appearance | |
| Density | |
| Melting Point | |
| Boiling Point | |
| Hazards | |
| GHS Pictograms | [[File:|50px]] |
| GHS Signal Word | |
| GHS Hazard Statements | |
| NFPA 704 | [[File:|50px]] |
| References | |
Acetoin, also known as 3-hydroxybutan-2-one or acetyl methyl carbinol, is a chemical compound with the formula C4H8O2. It is a colorless or pale yellow liquid with a pleasant buttery odor. Acetoin is a natural compound found in various foods and is used as a flavoring agent.
Chemical Properties[edit | edit source]
Acetoin is a ketone and an alcohol, which makes it a hydroxy ketone. It is soluble in water and has a boiling point of 148 °C. The compound is chiral, meaning it has two enantiomers, which are mirror images of each other.
Biological Role[edit | edit source]
Acetoin is produced by various microorganisms during the fermentation process. It is an intermediate in the butanediol fermentation pathway, which is utilized by some bacteria to convert glucose into energy. This compound is also found in honey, butter, and yogurt, contributing to their characteristic flavors.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Acetoin is widely used in the food industry as a flavoring agent due to its buttery taste. It is also used in the production of perfumes and cosmetics. In the biotechnology field, acetoin is studied for its potential use in biofuel production.
Safety[edit | edit source]
Acetoin is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used in food. However, exposure to large amounts may cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
