kids encyclopedia robot

Shogaol facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
[6]-Shogaol
6-shogaol.svg
Other names
  • [6]-Shogaol
  • (E)-[6]-Shogaol
  • Enexasogaol
Identifiers
CAS number 23513-13-5
PubChem 5281794
SMILES CCCCCC=CC(=O)CCC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC
Properties
Molecular formula C17H24O3
Molar mass 276.35 g mol-1
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Shogaol
Heat Very hot (chemical)
Scoville scale 160,000 SHU

Shogaols are pungent constituents of ginger similar in chemical structure to gingerol. The most common of the group is [6]-shogaol. Like zingerone, it is produced when ginger is dried or cooked. Moreover, shogaol (and gingerol) are converted to other constituents when heat is applied over time, which is why ginger loses its spiciness as it is cooked.

The name shogaol is derived from the Japanese name for ginger (生姜、shōga).

Shogaol is rated 160,000 SHU on the Scoville scale. When compared to other pungent compounds, shogaol is moderately more pungent than piperine, but less than capsaicin.

Compound Scoville Heat Units
(SHU)
Capsaicin 16,000,000
[6]-Shogaol 160,000
Piperine 100,000
[6]-Gingerol 60,000

Shogaols group

[4]-Shogaol, [8]-shogaol, [10]-shogaol, and [12]-shogaol (all found in ginger) together constitute the group shogaols. There also exist in ginger cultivars methylated shogaols: methyl [6]-shogaol and methyl [8]-shogaol, respectively.

Shogaols are artifacts formed during storage or through excess heat, probably created by a dehydration reaction of the gingerols. The ratio of shogaols to gingerols sometimes is taken as an indication of product quality.

[8]-shogaol
[10]-shogaol

Synthesis

A possible synthesis starts with a Claisen condensation of vanillin and acetone, producing dehydrozingerone. Afterwards the product reacts in an aldol condensation with hexanal in tetrahydrofurane to 6-dehydroshogaol and 6-dehydrogingerol. Latter can be hydrogenated to [6]-gingerol by a catalyst. In the last step hydrochloric acid is added to get the desired [6]-shogaol.

Wikipedia-shogaol
Possible synthesis of [6]-shogaol starting from vanillin
kids search engine
Shogaol Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.