11-hexadecenal

Description

## 11-Hexadecenal: An Important Signaling Molecule

**11-Hexadecenal** is an **unsaturated aldehyde** with the chemical formula **CH3(CH2)5CH=CH(CH2)8CHO**. It's naturally occurring and found in various plant and animal sources.

**Here's why it's important for research:**

**1. Plant Defense Mechanism:**
* 11-Hexadecenal plays a crucial role in plant defense against **herbivores** and **pathogens**.
* It acts as a **volatile signal** that **attracts natural enemies** of herbivores (like parasitic wasps) and **primes the plant's defense responses**.
* This makes it a potential **biocontrol agent** for pest management.

**2. Human Health Impacts:**
* Studies have shown that 11-Hexadecenal exhibits **anti-inflammatory properties** and **antioxidant activity**.
* This makes it a potential target for **drug development** to treat inflammatory diseases and oxidative stress.

**3. Food Industry:**
* 11-Hexadecenal contributes to the **characteristic aroma** of various fruits and vegetables.
* It's used as a **flavoring agent** in food processing and can be added to enhance the aroma of certain products.

**4. Biomarker Potential:**
* 11-Hexadecenal is a **potential biomarker** for certain diseases.
* Its levels in biological samples (e.g., blood, urine) may be associated with specific health conditions, aiding in early diagnosis and monitoring.

**5. Ecological Research:**
* 11-Hexadecenal is used as a **tracer** in **ecological studies** to investigate plant-insect interactions and the impact of environmental changes on plant defense mechanisms.

**Ongoing research:**

* Scientists are actively exploring the **mechanisms of action**, **biological activity**, and **potential applications** of 11-hexadecenal in diverse fields, including agriculture, medicine, and environmental science.

Overall, 11-hexadecenal is a fascinating molecule with diverse roles in plant biology, human health, and environmental interactions. Further research will shed light on its full potential and contribute to advancements in various scientific disciplines.

11-hexadecenal: RN given refers to (Z)-isomer; RN for cpd without isomeric designation not available 10/89 [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]