1-Octen-3-ol, octenol for short and also known as mushroom alcohol, is an organic compound with the formula CH2=CHCH(OH)(CH2)4CH3. It is a chiral secondary alcohol. It is a colorless liquid that occurs widely in nature.
Occurrence
The name "mushroom alcohol" for 1-octen-3-ol comes from its first isolation by S. Murahashi in 1936 and 1938 from crushed matsutake mushrooms. A recent study on volatiles of this mushroom has shown this compound is only produced upon tissue disruption. This alcohol is found in many other mushrooms where it may play a role as an antifeedant.
In combination with exhaled CO2 and other volatile compounds secreted from the epidermis, it attracts biting insects such as mosquitoes. It is contained in human breath and sweat, and it is believed that the insect repellentDEET works by blocking the insects' octenol odorantreceptors.
In nature
Octenol is produced by several plants and fungi, including edible mushrooms and lemon balm. Octenol is formed during oxidative breakdown of linoleic acid. Octenol is responsible for the moldy odor of damp indoor environments.
1-Octen-3-ol is generated from the peroxidation of linoleic acid, catalyzed by a lipoxygenase, followed by cleavage of the resulting hydroperoxide with the help of a hydroperoxide lyase. This reaction takes place in cheese and is used in biotechnology to produce the (R)-isomer.
Octenol is used, sometimes in combination with carbon dioxide, to attract insects in order to kill them with certain electrical devices.
The enantiopure right-handed isomer known as mushroom alcohol or matsutake alcohol is used in perfumery, because it is the main flavor and odor component of matsutake.
↑Inamdar AA, Morath S, Bennett JW (2020). "Fungal Volatile Organic Compounds: More Than Just a Funky Smell?". Annual Review of Microbiology. 74: 101–116. doi:10.1146/annurev-micro-012420-080428. PMID32905756.
↑Murahashi S. "Sci. Pap. Inst. Phys. Chem. Res. (Jpn.) 34, 155". Chemical Abstracts. 31: 21617.
↑Murahashi S. "Sci. Pap. Inst. Phys. Chem. Res. (Jpn.) 30, 263". Chemical Abstracts. 32: 27078.
↑Wood W. F., Lefevre C. K. (2007). "Changing volatile compounds from mycelium and sporocarp of American matsutake mushroom, Tricholoma magnivelare". Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 35 (9): 634–636. Bibcode:2007BioSE..35..634W. doi:10.1016/j.bse.2007.03.001.
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↑Wnuk S, Kinastowski S, Kamiński E (1983). "Synthesis and analysis of 1-octen-3-ol, the main flavour component of mushrooms". Die Nahrung. 27 (5): 479–486. doi:10.1002/food.19830270523. ISSN0027-769X. PMID6684212.