Quassin

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Quassin
IUPAC name	(3aS,6aR,7aS,8S,11aS,11bS,11cS)1,3a,4,5,6a,7,7a,8,11,11a,11b,11c-dodecahydro- 2,10dimethoxy-3,8,11a,11c-tetramethyldibenzo[de,g]chromene1,5,11-trione
EINECS number	200-985-9
Identifiers
CAS number	[76-78-8]
PubChem	10971
SMILES	CC1C=C(C(=O)C2(C1CC3C4(C2C(=O)C(=C(C4CC(=O)O3)C)OC)C)C)OC
InChI key	IOSXSVZRTUWBHC-LBTVDEKVBB
Properties
Molecular formula	C22H28O6
Molar mass	388.454 g/mol
Appearance	White crystalline substance
Melting point	200-222°C
Boiling point	586°C
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Vapor pressure	13 mmHg (@ 25°C)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Quassin is a white bitter, crystalline substance extracted from the quassia tree. It is the bitterest substance found in nature with a bitter threshold of 0.08ppm and it is 50 times more bitter than quinine.^[1]

Quassin is used as a medicine in traditional Chinese medicine.

Extracts of the Bitter tree (or bitter wood) (Quassia amara L. or Picrasma excelsa) are also used as additives in soft drinks.^[1]

Although its skeleton possesses 20 carbon atoms Quassin is not a diterpene but a triterpene lactone, which derives from euphol by loss of 10 carbon atoms including C4.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Scientific Committee on Food Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on quassin (expressed on 2 July 2002). SCF/CS/FLAV/FLAVOUR/29 Final