Sotolon

Sotolon

Sotolon (also known as sotolone) is a lactone and an extremely powerful aroma compound, with the typical smell of fenugreek or curry at high concentrations and maple syrup, caramel, or burnt sugar at lower concentrations. It is present in and responsible for the aroma of various types of food and beverages.

Chemical Structure and Properties

Sotolon is a flavonoid, a type of phenolic compound. Its chemical formula is C6H8O2, and its systematic name is 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone. It is a yellow to pale yellow crystalline solid with a characteristic aroma. Sotolon is soluble in water and most organic solvents.

Occurrence

Sotolon is naturally present in several types of food and beverages. It is the major aroma and flavor component of fenugreek seeds and lovage, and it is also present in several types of wine, particularly botrytized wines and certain types of sherry. In wine, sotolon is formed by the Maillard reaction, a type of non-enzymatic browning.

Uses

In the food industry, sotolon is used as a flavoring agent. It is used in a variety of products, including baked goods, candy, ice cream, beverages, and savory foods. In the perfume industry, sotolon is used as a fragrance ingredient. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as a flavoring agent for medications.

Health Effects

Sotolon is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, excessive consumption of foods or beverages containing sotolon may lead to a condition known as maple syrup urine disease, which is characterized by the presence of sotolon in the urine.

See Also

• Fenugreek
• Lovage
• Flavonoid
• Phenolic compound
• Maillard reaction
• Food and Drug Administration
• Maple syrup urine disease

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