Parasorbic acid

Parasorbic acid is a natural organic compound, specifically a cyclic lactone (dihydropyranone) with the chemical formula C6H8O2. It is found naturally in plants such as mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia, also known as rowanberry) and Bergenia ligulata. It functions as a pheromone in carpenter bees, influencing their reproductive behavior. It has also demonstrated insecticidal and potential antimicrobial properties. However, parasorbic acid is considered toxic, capable of causing indigestion, nausea, and kidney damage in large quantities, and is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Group 3 regarding carcinogenicity. It is thermodynamically unstable and can convert to the non-toxic food preservative sorbic acid through heat or hydrolysis.

Other names

(+)-(6S)-Parasorbic acid(S)-parasorbic acid6-methyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one2-methyl-2,3-dihydropyran-6-one2-Hexen-5-olide5-hydroxy-2-Hexenoic acid δ-lactonesorbic oilγ-Hexenolactoneparasorbate5-hydroxy-2-hexenoic acid lactoned-Da,b-hexenolactone2-hexen-5,1-olide