MOLECULE

(z)-beta-Farnesen

β-Farnesene, also known as (Z)-β-farnesene or β-cis-farnesene, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as sesquiterpenoids. These are terpenes that contain 15 carbon atoms and are comprised of three isoprene units. The biosynthesis of sesquiterpenes is known to occur mainly through the mevalonic acid pathway (MVA), in the cytosol. However, recent studies have found evidence of pathway crosstalk with the methyl-eritritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway in the plastid (PMID: 19932496, 17710406). Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of cyclic sesquiterpenes. FPP undergoes several cyclization reactions to yield a diverse number of cyclic arrangements. β-Farnesene is 7,11-dimethyl-3-methylene-1,6,10-dodecatriene. beta-Farnesene exists as two stereoisomers about the geometry of its central double bond. β-Farnesene has one naturally occurring isomer. The E isomer is a constituent of various essential oils. It is also released by aphids as an alarm pheremone upon death to warn away other aphids. Several plants, including potato species, have been shown to emit this terpenoid as a natural insect repellent. β-Farnesene is a sweet, citrus, and green tasting compound. β-Farnesene has been detected as a volatile component in cannabis plant samples and essential oils (PMID: 6991645; PMID: 26657499). It is also found in cannabis smoke and is volatilized during the combustion of cannabis (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-947-9_2).