MOLECULE

dihydrovomifoliol

Dihydrovomifoliol, also known as 4,5-dihydrovomifoliol, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as sesquiterpenoids. While it is chemically classified as a cyclic alcohol it is biochemically a sesquiterpenoid as it is synthesized via multiple isoprene units. Sesquiterpenoids 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-erythritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway in the cytosol. 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. There are several isomers of dihydrovomifoliol, including 4,5-Dihydrovomifoliol, 1,8-Dihydrovomifoliol and 7,8-Dihydrovomifoliol. 4,5-Dihydrovomifoliol appears to be the more common isomer in nature. 4,5-Dihydrovomifoliol is a neutral, hydrophobic molecule that is insoluble in water. It has been identified as an aroma constituent in nectarines (PMID: 14518956). It was first isolated from the leaves and stems of Dutch-grown hemp and identified as a cannabis constituent in 1976 (PMID: 6991645).