Description

2-Hexenal has a characteristic green, leafy odor.

Chemical Properties

2-Hexenal has a sweet, fragrant, almond, fruity green, leafy, apple, plum, vegetable odor.

Occurrence

Reported found in the distillation waters of several plants, such as Carpinus betulus; also identified among the constituents of tea (leaves) oil and in citronella. Also reported found in numerous foods including apple juice, apricot, banana, citrus peel oils and juices, blueberry, strawberry, guava, peach, pear, melon, cabbage, kohlrabi, cucumber, lettuce, leek, peas, tomato, thymus, butter, milk, fish, fish oil, meats, hop oil, beer, grape wines, peanut oil, pecans, potato chips, soybeans, avocado, olive, passion fruit, plum, Malay apple, star fruit, mango, cauliflower, fig, artichoke, coriander leaf, rice, radish, lovage leaf, laurel, loquat, endive, nectarines, clam, quince and tobacco.

Preparation

From interaction of butyraldehyde acetal with vinyl ether followed by hydrolysis or by any other suitable means.

Definition

ChEBI: A hexenal having the double bond at the 2-position.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 30 ppb; aroma characteristics at 1.0%: pungent green fatty, fresh fruity aldehydic, with fresh leafy apple and watermelon nuances.

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 5 ppm: fruity, fresh green, herbal and vegetative, apple and melon with a slight yeasty nuance.

Toxicity evaluation

The acute oral LD₅₀ value in rats was reported as 0.85 g/kg (0.65-1.05 g/kg) (Moreno, 1973). The oral LD₅₀ values for trans-2-hexenal were reported as 780-1130 and 1550-1750 mg/kg in rats and mice, respectively, and the ip LD₅₀ values were reported as 100-200 mg/kg in both species (Gaunt, Colley, Wright, Creasey, Grasso & Gangolli, 1971). The acute dermal LD₅₀ value in rabbits was reported as 0.60 g/kg (0.37-0.83 g/kg) (Moreno, 1973).

Raw materials

Preparation Products