2-Heptanone
chemical compound
2-Heptanone, also known as methyl n-amyl ketone, or heptan-2-one, is an organic compound with the molecular formula CH3C(O)(CH2)4CH3. It is classified as a ketone. The compound is a colorless, water-like liquid with a banana-like, fruity odor. It contributes to the flavor or odor of several aspects of everyday life.
Occurrence and uses
2-Heptanone is listed by the U.S. FDA as a "food additive permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption" (21 CFR 172.515), and it occurs naturally in certain foods (e.g., beer, white bread, butter, various cheeses and potato chips).
Odor component
The mechanism of action of 2-heptanone as a pheromone at odorant receptors in rodents has been investigated. 2-Heptanone is present in the urine of stressed rats and believe that it is used as a means to alert other rats. Certain species of worms are attracted to 2-heptanone and bacteria can use this as a means of pathogenesis. 2-Heptanone has also been found to be excreted by honey bees when they bite small pests within the colony such as wax moth larvae and Varroa mites. Though it was historically believed to be an alarm pheromone, 2-heptanone has been shown to act as an anaesthetic on the pests, enabling the honey bee to stun the pest and eject it from the hive.
“2-Heptanone” enters the record as chemical compound. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what 2-Heptanone, chemical and compound can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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