Organic Chemistry Project

By
Warisa Lertsathitphong (Emmy) 1103

Introduction
In this research we will be focusing on two organic chemistry that can be found in
strawberry which are Furaneol (DMHF) and Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). These two compounds
are significant for giving strawberries its smell and taste and play an important role in ripen the
fruit. Without these two organic compounds, strawberry wouldn’t be edible and it wouldn’t be
able to have its delicious sweet taste that we like.

Furaneol

Furaneol or DMHF is the aroma of the fruit. IUPAC name of furaneol is

2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (ChemSpider, n.d.). The general formula of furaneol is
C 6 H 8 O3 and the molecular weight is 128.12736 g/mol. Furaneol has the melting point at
81.00°C and the boiling point at 215.53°C. Pure furaneol appears in white to pale yellow solid
that can be dissolved in alcohol, alcohol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, and water but
insoluble in paraffin oil, isopropyl myristate. Furaneol taste and smell are described as
caramellic, fruity and cotton-candy-like (TGSC, n.d.). It can be found in various types of fruit
other than strawberry such as pineapple, lychee, snake fruit, raspberry, tomato, kiwi, etc.
Furaneol is also found in fermented products for example wine, beer, soy sauce, and soy paste
(Ahira K. & Ohata M., 2001). The compound is often and naturally found in the fruit but furaneol
can also be created in the process of heating up sugar products. Furaneol are widely used in
the food and perfume industry. In the food industry, furaneol is used as the artificial flavour and
smell for various food products such as candy, ice cream, beverage, chewing gum, etc, due to
its sweet taste and fruity caramellic odour (​Paula Dionísio A. & Pastore G.M., 2012)​.

Functional groups inside furaneol

- The pink part represents ether
- The purple/violet part represents alkene
- The dark blue part represents alcohol
- The blueish green part represents ketone
 Indole-3-acetic acid

Indole-3-acetic acid is also known as IAA. The general formula of indole-3-acetic acid is
C 10 H 9 N O2 and the molecular weight of indole-3-acetic acid is 175.184 g/mol. The compound is
most abundant in plant hormones called auxin (GoldBIO, n.d.). ​The compound is involved in
diverse aspects of the plant growth and development ranging from embryogenesis to floral and
fruit development. ​It plays an significant role in controlling many important physical processes in
plants ​including cell enlargement and division, tissue differentiation, responses to light and
gravity, development of plant organs, etc (Estelle M., 2001). As it affects the growth and
development of the plant, it also affects the taste of the fruit. The sweetness of the fruit develops
as the fruit ripen which the process is mainly driven by the auxin hormone. The sugar content in
the fruit will increase from 5% to 9% by weight when the fruit is fully ripe (​Brunning A., 2015)​.

Functional Groups in Indole-3-acetic acid

- The yellow part represents alkene
- The orange part represents amine
- The dark blue part represents benzine
- The blue part part represents carboxylic acid
 References

- Arihara K. & Ohata M. (2019) ​DMHF (2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone), a

volatile food component with attractive sensory properties, brings physiological
functions through inhalation​. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/furaneo
l
- Brunning A. (June 15, 2015). Periodic Graphics: The Chemistry of Strawberries.
Retrieved from
https://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i24/Periodic-Graphics-Chemistry-Strawberries.html
- ChemSpider. (n.d.). Furaneol. Retrieved from
http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.18218.html?rid=b5698142-fbf1-4
9dc-a887-6f11c8f087ea
- ChemSpider. (n.d). Indole-3-Acetic Acid. Retrieved from
http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.780.html
- Estelle M. (2001). Plant Hormone. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/indole-3-acetic-acid
- GoldBIO. (n.d). IAA (Indole-3-Acetic Acid). Retrieved from
https://www.goldbio.com/product/1311/iaa-indole-3-acetic-acid
- PubChem. (n.d.). Indole-3-Acetic Acid. Retrieved from
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Indole-3-acetic-acid
- Paula Dionísio A. & Pastore G.M., (2012). ​Natural flavourings from biotechnology
for foods and beverages​. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/furaneo
l
- TGSC Information System. (n.d). Strawberry furaneol. Retrieved from
http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1000931.html