Shogaol facts for kids

Quick facts for kids [6]-Shogaol
Preferred IUPAC name (4E)-1-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)dec-4-en-3-one
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
InChI InChI=1/C17H24O3/c1-3-4-5-6-7-8-15(18)11-9-14-10-12-16(19)17(13-14)20-2/h7-8,10,12-13,19H,3-6,9,11H2,1-2H3/b8-7+
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Shogaols are special compounds found in ginger. They are what make ginger taste spicy or "hot"! They are similar to other compounds in ginger called gingerols. The most common shogaol is called [6]-shogaol.

Shogaols are made when ginger is dried or cooked. For example, when you cook ginger for a long time, the gingerols in it can change into shogaols. This is also why ginger might lose some of its spiciness as it cooks.

The name shogaol comes from the Japanese word for ginger, which is shōga.

How Spicy Are Shogaols?

Shogaol is quite spicy! Its spiciness is measured on something called the Scoville scale. [6]-Shogaol has a rating of 160,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units).

To give you an idea, shogaol is spicier than piperine, which is the compound that makes black pepper spicy. But it's not as spicy as capsaicin, which is the super-spicy compound found in chili peppers.

Here's how some spicy compounds compare:

Different Kinds of Shogaols

There are several types of shogaols found in ginger. These include [4]-shogaol, [8]-shogaol, [10]-shogaol, and [12]-shogaol. They all belong to the group called shogaols.

Some types of ginger also have slightly different shogaols. These are called methylated shogaols, like methyl [6]-shogaol and methyl [8]-shogaol.

[8]-shogaol

[10]-shogaol

Shogaols are usually formed when ginger is stored or heated. They are created from gingerols through a process called a dehydration reaction. This means that water is removed from the gingerol molecule. The amount of shogaols compared to gingerols can sometimes show how good the ginger product is.

Making Shogaol in a Lab

Scientists can also make [6]-shogaol in a laboratory. One way to do this starts with a chemical called vanillin, which is known for its vanilla smell.

First, vanillin is mixed with acetone in a reaction. This creates a new substance. Then, this substance reacts with another chemical called hexanal. This step makes two compounds: 6-dehydroshogaol and 6-dehydrogingerol.

The 6-dehydrogingerol can then be changed into [6]-gingerol using a special catalyst. Finally, by adding hydrochloric acid, scientists can get the [6]-shogaol they want.

A possible way to make [6]-shogaol in a lab, starting from vanillin.