Vanillylacetone

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Vanillylacetone appears as pale yellow crystals or a viscous liquid. Vanillylacetone is sparingly soluble in water, soluble in ether, alcohol. It is also freely soluble in fats and oils. Stable under ordinary conditions.

APPLICATIONS

PHARMA, MEDICINE

Zingerone seems likely to be the constituent responsible for the antidiarrheal efficacy of ginger. It also act as an antioxidant. It plays a significant role in lipid oxidation by inhibiting oxidation of phospholipid liposomes in the presence of iron (III) and ascorbate to prevent heart-attacks. Studies show that a topically applied extract containing vanillylacetone may help to prevent some skin cancers. It may be useful in a nutritional program for arthritis and/or fibromyalgia.

COSMETICS

It appears in perfume composition to introduce spicy aromas (odor description: sweet, spicy, phenolic, ginger, vanilla, woody).  It can be found in beauty care products, soap.

FOOD

Zingerone is an active ingredient in ginger, resposnible for giving it a pungsent, "hot” taste (cooking the ginger transforms gingerol, which is present, into vanillylacetone through a retro-aldol reaction). It is used as a flavor additive in artificial spice oils (e.g. a flavor ingredient in mustard oil).