MOLECULE

farnesyl acetone

Farnesylacetone or (5E,9E)-Farnesylacetone, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as acyclic diterpenoids. These are diterpenoids (compounds made of four consecutive isoprene units) that do not contain a cycle. It is formally classified as an acyclic ketone although it is biochemically a diterpenoid as it is synthesized via isoprene units. Diterpenoids are biosynthesized by plants, animals and fungi via the HMG-CoA reductase pathway, with geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate being a primary intermediate. Four different Farnesylacetone isomers exist ((5E,9E)-Farnesylacetone, (5E,9Z)-Farnesylacetone, (5Z,9E)-Farnesylacetone, and (5Z,9Z)-Farnesylacetone) with the most common being (5E,9E)-Farnesylacetone. Farnesylacetone is a hydrophobic, neutral molecule that insoluble in water. It is used as a food additive and a cosmetic/perfuming agent. It has a fruity, floral, wine-like odor and is often used as a floral base for fruit and floral fragrances. Farnesylacetone is found naturally in a number of foods and plants including tomatoes, watermelon, yarrow and mushrooms. Farnesylacetone is also one of more than 140 terpenes that are found in cannabis plants (PMID: 6991645).