Aroma compound
Aroma compound[edit | edit source]
Aroma Compound[edit | edit source]
An aroma compound, also known as an odorant, aroma, fragrance, or flavor, is a chemical compound that has a smell or odor. Aroma compounds are used in a variety of applications, including food flavoring, perfumery, and aromatherapy. These compounds can be naturally occurring or synthetically produced.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Aroma compounds are typically volatile, meaning they can evaporate and be detected by the olfactory system. They are often found in essential oils, which are concentrated hydrophobic liquids containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. The perception of an aroma is a complex process that involves the interaction of these compounds with olfactory receptors in the nose.
Sources[edit | edit source]
Aroma compounds can be derived from various sources:
- Natural sources: Many aroma compounds are extracted from natural sources such as plants, fruits, and flowers. For example, vanillin is derived from vanilla beans, and cinnamaldehyde is found in cinnamon.
- Synthetic sources: Some aroma compounds are synthesized in laboratories to mimic natural aromas or to create new scents. Synthetic compounds can be more stable and less expensive than their natural counterparts.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Aroma compounds are used in several industries:
- Food industry: Aroma compounds are used to enhance the flavor of food and beverages. They are often added to processed foods to improve taste and aroma.
- Perfume industry: In perfumery, aroma compounds are blended to create fragrances. Each perfume is a complex mixture of aroma compounds that interact to produce a unique scent.
- Aromatherapy: In aromatherapy, essential oils containing aroma compounds are used for therapeutic purposes. The inhalation of these compounds is believed to have psychological and physical benefits.
Examples of Aroma Compounds[edit | edit source]
Some common aroma compounds include:
- Limonene: Found in citrus fruits, limonene has a strong citrus scent.
- Eugenol: Found in cloves, eugenol has a spicy, warm aroma.
- Menthol: Found in peppermint, menthol has a cooling, minty scent.
- Isoamyl acetate: Known for its banana-like aroma, isoamyl acetate is used in flavorings and perfumes.
Related Pages[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, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD