اوژنول

Eugenol is an allyl-substituted guaiacol and a member of the allylbenzene chemical class. It is a colorless to pale yellow, aromatic oily liquid with a clove-like scent. Found in essential oils such as clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, basil, and bay leaf, it makes up 80–90% of clove bud oil and 82–88% of clove leaf oil. The name comes from Eugenia caryophyllata, the former name for cloves, now known as Syzygium aromaticum.
🏭⚗️ Biosynthesis
Eugenol biosynthesis starts from the amino acid tyrosine. Tyrosine is converted into p-coumaric acid via tyrosine ammonia lyase (TAL), then to caffeic acid, which is methylated to form ferulic acid. Ferulic acid is converted to feruloyl-CoA, then reduced to coniferaldehyde and further to coniferyl alcohol. Coniferyl alcohol becomes coniferyl acetate, which is finally converted to eugenol by the enzyme eugenol synthase using NADPH.
Eugenol is also a metabolite of caleicine from Calea ternifolia, a plant known for its sedative and hallucinogenic effects.
🧪 Uses
Humans
Eugenol is used as a flavoring and fragrance in food, perfumes, cosmetics, and essential oils. It serves as a local anesthetic and antiseptic, especially in dentistry. Combined with zinc oxide, it is used for root canal sealing and to treat dry sockets after tooth extraction.
Insects and Fish
Eugenol attracts male orchid bees and female cucumber beetles and is used in insect studies and pest control. It also acts as an anesthetic and humane euthanasia agent for aquarium and wild fish.
Other
Eugenol is used in some agricultural fungicides and weed control products. It’s also found in many household items such as cleaning supplies, pesticides, and pet care products.