Search

The article reports on a group of researchers' assertion that the sesquiterpene rotundone gives pepper its distinctive aroma. The aroma of black pepper was previously attributed to complex interactions of chemical components. However, Alan Pollnitz and his colleagues reported that rotundone can be found not only in white and black pepper, but also in marjoram and oregano among others. In addition, they identified the compound as the source of a spicy aroma in some Shiraz wines.

Reports on findings of computational studies of terpenoid cyclization mechanisms, conducted by Dean J. Tantillo and Pradeep Gutta of the University of California, Davis. Key intermediate in terpenoid cyclizations; Proton sharing in alkene carbons.