Not as famous as acetone, but a much more popular chemical product, phenylethyl alcohol is very useful and necessary in the modern world. What is his role in our life? Should you be afraid of its name on the composition label or not?
What is phenylethyl alcohol?
FES is an organic compound with the formula C 8 H 10 O. From the name it is obvious that this substance belongs to the class of alcohols. The structural formula is shown in the figure below.
What physical properties does FES have?
Phenylethyl alcohol is a chemical compound that is a flowing, viscous liquid without color, but with a burning taste and floral smell that resembles the aroma of a rose. The hydrogen level is 7.0.
In nature, phenylethyl alcohol is found in essential oils such as rose (85% FES), ylang-ylang oil, cloves, geraniums.
Where to find or how to cook FES?
As mentioned above, FES is part of some essential oils. This substance is found in vivo as a result of the vital activity of microorganisms, animals and plants. To be more precise, phenylethyl alcohol is present in more than 200 products of natural origin: essential oils, spices, tobacco, food products. Pure FES is obtained by isolation from natural raw materials using physical, enzymatic or microbiological processes.
Of course, like any other chemical substance, FES can also be obtained synthetically in laboratory or industrial conditions, but now there’s no need to delve into the intricacies of its manufacturing technology.
The use of phenylethyl alcohol
Since the physical properties of FES were considered above, it can be concluded that this compound is used in various spheres of life in order to achieve a rose aroma. However, do not assume that it is suitable for creating only the smell of these colors. Phenylethyl alcohol is also used to create other flavors. The reason for this is its excellent combination with various aromatic compositions.
In addition, FES is suitable for enhancing the taste in food products, as well as for flavoring them (a very striking example is sweet desserts).
It has FES and antimicrobial properties, so it can be used as a preservative or even as a bactericidal agent! For many years, this alcohol was used in pharmaceutical preparations: studies have shown that at a concentration of only 0.2% -0.3% FES absolutely stops the growth of some types of fungi and bacteria. Such a wide spectrum of antimicrobial action at such low concentrations is very much appreciated!
In the modern world, the use of phenylethyl alcohol, a mild moisturizer and emollient in cosmetic products is more common. The most suitable physical and chemical properties of this aromatic compound make it indispensable and effective at different pH values (hydrogen index). FES's own smell can also mask unpleasant odors of other ingredients of cosmetic products.
Are there any contraindications?
How often various warnings are heard around the use of a particular care product. And can phenylethyl alcohol in cosmetics have a negative effect on health?
Pay attention to this component in the composition is necessary for people with sensitive skin or with a tendency to irritation, with rosacea or rosacea. But, in general, FES is considered safe if the concentration of the active substance that is part of the cosmetic product is <1.0%.
Although the risk is small, be careful, if necessary, consult a doctor.
And now some chemical properties
In addition to the FES itself, of interest is one of the derivatives of phenylethyl alcohol - phenylethylamine (PEA). The structural formula is presented below in the figure.
One way to obtain this compound is the amination of phenylethyl alcohol. However, it’s interesting not the technology of its production, but its properties.
This compound is a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator of energy of interpersonal relationships. Humans, unlike most other animals, value those around them externally. Therefore, there is the expression “love at first sight! So, when you discover an object that is pleasant, pretty, sexy for us, the production of phenylethylamine begins in our body! The individual receptor for this substance was discovered in the amygdala - the core of the brain.
In addition to the unique action on the nervous system, a remarkable and short lifetime of this amine is just minutes, then it is destroyed by the enzyme monoamine oxygenase.
Despite the not well-known fact about the rapid destruction of PEA, it is still actively used in sports nutrition: as a stimulant in pre-workout complexes and in fat burning complexes. Its half-life when ingested is only 5-10 minutes. That is, already in the stomach it is exposed to a destructive enzyme and does not always enter the bloodstream, which makes the effect it renders almost negligible.
A curious reader may ask: if it is so short-lived when entering the body from external sources, why can not it be introduced directly into the blood? The answer is this: scientific studies have shown that with intravenous administration, significant liver damage was observed in mice, and large amounts of the substance can cause Parkinson's disease in animals. Magical, but at the same time terribly dangerous - phenylethylamine.