MOLECULE

alpha-Bisabolol

Alpha-Bisabolol belongs to the class of organic compounds known as sesquiterpenoids. These are terpenes with three consecutive isoprene units. Sesquiterpenes 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. Epi-Alpha-Bisabolol is an isomer of Bisabolol. Bisabolol or more formally α-(−)-bisabolol is a colorless viscous oil. Bisabolenes are present in the essential oils of German chamomile (PMID: 22096322), and of a wide variety of other plants including cubeb, lemon, oregano, and Cannabis sativa (PMID: 6991645, 26657499). Various derivates of bisabolol also function as pheromones in different insects (PMID: 31659569). Bisabolenes are produced by several fungi, though their biological role in that group of organisms remains unclear (doi:10.3390/f11030290). Bisabolol has a weak sweet floral aroma and is used in various fragrances.