Acetaldehyde is a colorless liquid with a fruity odor found in ripe fruit, coffee, bread, and alcohol metabolism. It is used commercially in pharmaceuticals and perfumes, but must be handled with care due to its irritant and carcinogenic properties. Acetaldehyde levels in wine and spirits affect their quality. Enzyme deficiencies can cause a buildup of acetaldehyde, leading to a facial flush and hangover. Alcohol metabolism can strain the liver and lead to health problems. The drug Antabuse blocks the activity of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, causing discomfort after consuming alcohol.
Acetaldehyde is a colorless flammable chemical compound that comes in the form of a liquid with a characteristic fruity odor. This chemical can be produced synthetically for a variety of purposes and is found naturally in ripe fruit, particularly grapes, along with coffee and bread. This compound is also produced in the body as a byproduct of alcohol metabolism. When levels of this compound rise to a high level, they cause a condition known in parlance as a “hangover.”
The chemical formula of acetaldehyde is CH3CHO. This compound is also known as ethanal. It is used commercially in the manufacture of some pharmaceuticals and perfumes, and is also used as a catalyst for various chemical reactions. Because acetaldehyde is an irritant and suspected of being a carcinogen, it must be handled with care in the facilities that produce it to avoid exposing people to unnecessary risk.
When people drink alcohol, it is broken down in the liver into acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde in turn is broken down into acetic acid by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and another chemical, glutathione. Some people have enzyme deficiencies that allow the compound to build up in the body when alcohol is consumed, causing a characteristic facial flush. People who have consumed too much alcohol develop hangovers because their liver can’t process acetaldehyde fast enough.
A hangover resolves when enzyme levels in the liver rise again and the liver may finish metabolizing the acetaldehyde. Alcohol metabolism can put a strain on the liver, especially when people habitually drink large amounts of alcohol, and can lead to a variety of health problems caused by a decline in liver function. The drug Antabuse which is designed to combat alcoholism by creating negative consequences when people drink blocks the activity of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, leaving people with a feeling of profound discomfort after consuming even a small amount of alcohol.
In the production of wine and spirits, acetaldehyde levels are of great interest. This chemical compound is found in wines and fruit-derived spirits, to varying degrees, and contributes to the fruity smell of many wines. If the level of this compound is too high, however, it can be considered a defect and can make a finished product less valuable or less tasty. Universities involved in wine and spirits research have shown great interest in this compound and its role in the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
