Geosmin
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--76.21.16.245 05:52, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
| Geosmin | |
|---|---|
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| General | |
| Systematic name | 4,8a-dimethyldecalin-4a-ol
or 4,8a-dimethyl-decahydronaphthalen-4a-ol |
| Molecular formula | C12H22O |
| SMILES | CC1CCCC2(C1(CCCC2)O)C |
| Molar mass | 182.3 g/mol |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references |
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Geosmin, which literally translates to "earth smell", is an organic compound with a distinct earthy flavour and aroma, and is responsible for the earthy taste of beets. The human nose is exquisitely sensitive to geosmin, able to detect it at concentrations down to 1.3 parts per billion.
Geosmin is produced by several classes of microbes, including cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and actinobacteria, and released when these microbes die. Communities whose water supply depends on surface water can periodically experience episodes of unpleasant-tasting water when a sharp drop in the population of these bacteria releases geosmin into the local water supply. Under acidic conditions, geosmin decomposes into odorless substances.
