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Trans-2-cis-6-nonadienal: The Cause of Cucumber Odor in Osmerid and Retropinnid Smelts

1993; Wiley; Volume: 122; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1577/1548-8659(1993)122 2.3.co;2

1548-8659

R. M. McDowall, Bruce M. Clark, G. J. WRIGHT, T. G. Northcote,

Marine Ecology and Invasive Species

The cucumber odor emitted by the European smelt Osmerus eperlanus and Canadian surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus (both Osmeridae) and by the New Zealand common smelt Retropinna retropinna and Stokells smelt Stokellia anisodon (Retropinnidae) is shown to be caused by trans-2 -cis-6-nonadienal, as has previously been shown for the Australian grayling Prototroctes maraena (Prototroctidae). These fish are all members of the Osmeroidei. However some other groups (Argentinidae, Chlorophthalmidae, Pomatomidae) are also reported to emit the odor and it is not presently possible to determine whether the odor is a commonly derived homologous character within the Osmeroidei and is convergently present also in other families, or whether it is a primitive character in the Osmeroidei and other related groups. The function of the chemical, which occurs in the skin, is unknown, and clarification depends on understanding metabolic pathways involved.