Esters are compounds naturally found in flowers and found in animals as well. Esters are complex organic compounds formed from a combination of an acid and alcohol. They are used in medicine, biology, chemistry, and industry. For instance, polyester is made of many esters–poly means “many.” Amongst other functions, esters are partly responsible for the fragrance of flowers. They are extracted, transformed into an essential oil and then used in the perfume industry, or also as a flavoring in the food industry. Esters can also be synthesized in laboratories.
As the developing of modern chemistry, the first synthetic esters started to be produced. It is difficult to know the precise date for the synthesis of every and each ester. However, Ecobichon and Joy, in “Pesticides and Neurological Diseases”, stated that organophosphorus esters were first synthesised in early 1800s. These substances are today used in the production of insecticides and herbicides.
Uses
Esters can be synthesized in laboratories and have many uses. According to the National Biodiesel Board, Methyl esters can be used as lubricants, detergents, soaps, cosmetics, anti-foaming agents, pharmaceutical products, agricultural chemicals and food flavoring. Butyl acetate and ethyl acetate are used as a solvents based on Science Encyclopedia’s website, while amyl acetates are utilized as extracting liquids in the isolation of penicillin, as well as in the fabrication of polish for leather goods.
One of the most important uses is in the pharmaceutical industry, including ethyl nitrite, as a diuretic and an antipyretic; amyl nitrite, to treat asthma, high blood pressure and epileptic convulsions; and ethyl chaulmoograte in the treatment of leprosy, as stated in Scienceray.
Types
Benzyl acetate is found in jasmine, hyacinth, gardenia, and ylang-ylang and is used in scents and flavors. Benzyl acetate is also found in bael fruit, quince, and the agaricus species of mushroom. It is a fruit flavor food additive and fragrance in perfumes, soaps, detergents and incense.
Lutein esters, which are used in creating medications for eye disorders as well as pet food and fish food, are found in marigoldsLutein can come from animals sources as well. The plant-derived lutein is used in kosher products.
Esters appear in all fruits and flowers and there are numerous forms of esters. Some examples are isobutyl formate in raspberries, methyl butyrate in apples, ethyl butyrate in pineapples, amyl acetate(also called as n-Pentyl acetate, with the molecular formula C7H14O2) in bananas, isoamyl acetate in pears, amyl butyrate in apricots, and octyl acetate in oranges.
Considerations
Although esters are pleasant, they are seldom used in perfumes or scents that are applied to the body. According to Hovde, “esters are only used for the cheapest toilet waters,” because when in contact with sweat, they chemically transform into substances that often have an unpleasant odor.
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