Geranyl formate

Geranyl formate is found in the essential oils of Geranium, Rose, Lemon, Orange and Clary sage.

Geranyl formate is an ester with the chemical formula C11H18O2. The alternative names of Geranyl formate are Geranyl methanoate; Geraniol Formate; Formic acid; geraniol ester and so on. It is insoluble in water but it mixes well with ether, ketone and fixed oils.

Attributes of Geranyl formate:

Geranyl formate is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid. It is characterised by a fresh green aroma that is closer to the aroma of rose.

Flavor and fragrance ingredient:

It is used for its green flavor in flavor and fragrance compounds. Geranyl formate is used in the flavors of lemon, red apple, water melon, peach, pear and green beans.

Therapeutic attributes of Geranyl formate:

Antifungal activity:

Geranyl formate exhibit antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. This attribute was focused in the study titled “Antifungal Activity of Rose-Scented Geranium (Pelargonium Species) Essential Oil and its Six Constituents”.

This study was carried out to evaluate the antifungal activity of the essential oil of Geranium and its main constituents, namely, citronellol, geraniol, isomenthone, geranyl formate and citronellyl formate.

It was found that all the constituents that are mentioned above showed antifungal activity against candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, which are the causal organisms for diseases like candidiasis and cryptococcosis in human beings.

Hepatoprotective effect:

A study on “The hepatoprotective effects of dihydromyrcenol and geranyl formate in an experimental model of acute hepatic injury induced by the use of carbon tetrachloride” was carried out to evaluate the ability of dihydromyrcenol and geranyl formate to protect the liver from damage.

When Geranyl formate was administered at low doses to rats that have injuries in the liver caused by carbon tetrachloride, it exhibits partial hepatoprotective effect and at high doses, it never present any hepatoprotective effect.

Insecticide:

Geranyl formate acts as an effective insecticide against Stephanitis pyrioides and the larva of Aedes aegypti. This was evident in the study “Insecticidal and biting deterrent activity of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium spp.) essential oils and individual compounds against Stephanitis pyrioides and Aedes aegypti.”

Reference Links:

  1. Geranyl formate by PubChem
  2. Antifungal Activity of Rose-Scented Geranium (Pelargonium Species) Essential Oil and its Six Constituents
  3. The hepatoprotective effects of dihydromyrcenol and geranyl formate in an experimental model of acute hepatic injury induced by the use of carbon tetrachloride
  4. Insecticidal and biting deterrent activity of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium spp.) essential oils and individual compounds against Stephanitis pyrioides and Aedes aegypti