PERIODICAL LITERATURE

PREVIOUS: Dissertations NEXT: Patent Literature TOP: Title Page

Abstracting and Indexing Publications -

Key Bibliographic Entry Points to the Biological and Chemical Literature from Biological Abstracts and Chemical Abstracts


Primary Authors Authors’ Affiliation Journal Titles
Barrero, A. F. Dragoco GmbH Agric. Biol. Chem.
Brunke, E. J. Firmenich SA An. Quim., Ser. C
Cambie, R. C. Givaudan-Roure Aust. J. Chem.
Christenson, P. A. Hasegawa Co. Ltd. Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr.
Escher, S. D. Inst. Khim. Kishinev Moldova Chem. Express
Kawanobe, T. Inst. Sint. Nat. Dushistykh Veshchestv Chem. Ind. (London)
Martres, P. King Saud Univ. Helv. Chim. Acta
Mori, K. Ohio State Univ. Heterocycles
Ohloff, G. Pontif. Univ. Catol. Chile J. Org. Chem.
Oritani, T. R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Liebigs Ann. Chem.
Sibirtseva, V. E. Univ. Auckland Maslo-Zhir. Prom-st.
Snowden, R. L. Univ. Granada Tetrahedron
Taha, S. A. Univ. Lyon Tetrahedron Lett.
Urones, J. G. Univ. de Salamanca Zh. Obshch. Khim.
Vlad, P. F. Univ. Tokyo
Winter, B.


Review Articles -

Arndt, W., "Riechstoffe," Rohstoffe des Tierreichs 15(II):417-507, 1940

A review of the scientific and technical literature on ambergris [Riechstoffe] from a now-defunct journal which dealt with raw materials of animal origin.

Cambie, R. C., "Perfumes based on ambergris substitutes," Chem. New
Zealand 51(3):31-1, 1987.

A review of the chemical literature on the synthesis of ambergris-like compounds. The article covers the scientific and technical literature and focuses on the work of researchers in industry, principally in flavors and fragrances, and at academic research laboratories. It includes chemical syntheses and production using biological systems.

Dannenfeldt, K. H., "Ambergris: The search for its origin," Isis 73(268): 382-197, 1982.

This is probably the most comprehensive and interesting of the several fine review articles on the subject of ambergris. It traces the confusion over the origin of ambergris from early Chinese and Islamic writings through the observations of the great European explorers and the findings of modern science. The paper has no bibliography but is crammed with pithy footnotes that cite the original ancient writings in many cases. A list of the footnotes is presented in the table below.

Abbreviated Citations from the Footnotes in Dannenfeldt.

Actuarius J. Opera, 1556. Clusius, C., Exoticorum Libri Dec 1605:149. Lopes, D., Report Kingdome Cong 1970:25.
Ætius, Tetrabiblos, 1549. Clusius, C., Aromatium Simplicium 1574:9. Lusitanus, A., Dioscoridis Anazarbe, 1558:57.
Africanus, L., Hakluyt Soc Ser 1 2:250 & 3:949, 1896. Daorta, G, C., Simples Drugs Indi, 1563. Magnus, A., Liber Pandectarum Me, 1492.
Agricola, G., Natura Fossilium 1955:70. Decastanheda, F. L., Hist Discobrimento A, 1924. Mattioli, P. A., Opera Quae Extant Om, 1598:130.
Aldrovandi, U., Musæum Metallicum L 1648:430. Denis, J. B., J Scavans 3:224, 1672. Monardes, N., Hist Med Cosas Que S, 1574.
Alqazwini, Z. I., Geographie Edrisi, 1836. Deovalle, A., Hist Relation Chile, 1646. Neumann, C., Phil Trans Roy Soc 38:344, 1734.
Anglicus, B., Properties Things 1975:685. Deurreta, L., Hist Ecclesiastica P 1610:314. Paludanus, B., Voyage Linschoten 2:92,.
Anon., Encyc Britannica 1:132, 1771. Diderot, Encyc Dict Raisonne S 1:323, 1966. Parkinson, J., Theatrum Botanicum T 1640:1565.
Anon., Gart Gesundheit, 1485. Dioscorides, Materia Med Libri Qu, 1906. Penzer, N. M., Most Noble Famous Tr 937:115.
Anon., Hortus Sanitatis, 1497. Dudley, P., Phil Trans Roy Soc 33:256, 1725. Pinkerton, J., General Collection B 14:75, 1808.
Anon., Sci Amer S 1090:1427, 1896. Fragoso, J., Aromatum Fructum Sim, 1601. Pliny, Natural Hist, 1938.
Averroes, Aristotelis Omnia Qu 10, 1560. Fragoso, J., Discursos Do Los Cos, 1572. Pomet, P., General Hist Druggs 1736:272.
Avicenna, Liber Canonis, 1522. Gode, P. K., Chymia 2:51, 1949. Purchas, S., Hakluyt Posthumus Pu 14:30, 1905.
Avicenna, Liber Serapionis Agg, 1479. Gunther, R. T., Early Sci Oxford 7:409, 1968. Rhazes, Opera Parva, 1510.
Barbosa, D., Hakluyt Soc Ser 1:165, 1866. Gunther, R. T., Early Sci Oxford 7:691, 1968. Rice, P. C., Amber Golden Gem Age 1980:145.
Beckingham, C. V., Hakluyt Soc Ser 2:33, 1945. Haddow, J. G., Amber All It 1892:29. Riddle, J. M., J Sprunt Studies His 46:110, 1964.
Belleforesti, F., Cosmographie Univers. Hawkins, R., Observations R Hawkins 1968:46. Riddle, J. M., Sudhoffs Arch Gesch 48:111, 1964.
Boyle, R., Phil Trans Roy Soc 8:6113, 1673. Hernandez, F., Hist Natural C Plino 1:128, 1966. Scaliger, J. C., Exotericarum Exercit, 1557.
Boylston, Phil Trans Roy Soc 33:193,, 1725. Hirth, F., Chau Ju Kua His Work 1966:128. Schwediawer, F. X., Phil Trans Roy Soc 73:226, 1783.
Brasavola, A. M., Examen Omnium Simpli 1539:397. Husemann, T., Facsimile 1st Editio, 1927. Schwediawer, F. X., Phil Trans Roy Soc 81:43, 1791.
Burnell, A. C,. Hakluyt Soc Ser 1 2:92, 1970. Johnson, S., Dict English Language, 1755. Slijper, E. J., Whales, 1979:292.
Burton, R. F,. Book 1001 Nights 4:2068, 1934. Jordanus, F., Hakluyt Soc Ser 1:43, 1863. Thevet, Cited Indirectly.
Cardanus, H,. Opera Omnia 3:443, 1966. Kämpfer, E., Amoenitatum Exoticar 1712:632. Wirsung, C., Artzney Buch, 1568.
Cesalpino, A,. Metallicis Libri Tre 1596:71. Kämpfer, E., Hist Japan 1:174, 1971. Wittig, J., Bericht Wunderbaren 1589:59.
Cesi, B,. Mineralibus 1636:412. Kämpfer, E., Hist Japan 3:292, 1971. Wormius, O., Museum Wormianum 1655:33.
Chaldaeus, I., , Cited Indirectly. Keer, R., General Hist Collect 1:92, 1824. Wusterfeld, F., ZBB Elcazwinis Kosmo 1:245, 1849.
Chambers, E., Cyclopædia 1:74, 1728. Klobius, J., Ambræ Hist Ad Omnip 1666:41. Yamada, K., Report I World Economics 8:1, 1955.
Champier, S,. Castigationes Seu Em, 1532. Lemery, N.,, Pharmacopée.
Cidade, H,. Asia J Barros, 1945. Lemery, N., Course Chem 1677:216.

Ohloff, G., "Twenty-five years of scent and aroma chemistry as reflected in
Helvetica Chimica Acta, Part II", Helv. Chim. Acta
75(7):2041-1108, 1992.

Not reviewed.

Sell, Charles, "Chemistry of ambergris.," Chemistry and Industry (London)
16(Aug 20, 1990):516-520.

Since ancient times, ambergris has been one of the most highly valued perfumery materials. The name is derived from the French, ambre gris, gray amber, which distinguishes it from brown amber, the fossilized resin. It possesses a subtle odor reminiscent of seaweed, wood and moss but with a peculiar sweet, yet dry undertone of unequaled tenacity.

Ambergris is a secretion found in the intestinal tract of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus L. = P. catodon). It contains up to 46 per cent of cholestanol type steroids and 25-45 per cent of a triterpene, ambrein. The reason for its formation is unknown but it is thought that it may be due to a reaction to some irritation in the whale’s intestine. Ambergris which is released into the sea takes the form of lumps which are rarely more than 20 cm in diameter. The largest piece ever found weighed 400 kg and was taken from the intestine of a whale which had been killed.

When first formed, the material is dark brown to black in color but, on exposure to sunlight, air and sea water, it gradually fades to a light gray or creamy yellow color. While the color is being bleached, other degradative chemical processes occur which break ambreine down into a mixture of products. Some of these are odorless but a number are responsible for the complex odor which is characteristic of ambergris. Ambergris has been prized, not only for its odor, but also for its alleged restorative and aphrodisiac properties.

The ambergris materials used in perfumery nowadays are essentially entirely of synthetic or semi-synthetic origin. Compounds from various plants of the Podocarpaceae (pandanus family), Salvia sclarea (clary sage), oak moss, and various fungi can be converted to ambergris-like odorants. Ambergris-like odorants can also be synthesized from chemical feedstocks with great difficulty because of the complex stereochemistry.

The balance of the article focuses on the analytical and synthetic chemistry of ambergris-like odorants and their structure-activity relationships (SAR) and reviews the syntheses and SAR work of experts in the field of fragrance chemistry largely as published in the pages of Tetrahedron, Tetrahedron Letters and Helvetica Chimica Acta.

Wittop Koning, D. A., "Therapeutic agents of sea and beach, a historical
review," Vakblad voor Biologen 52 (15):313-117, 1972.

Not reviewed.


General Reading -

"Aboard a sperm whaler," Harper's New Monthly Magazine 8(April 1854):670-674.

Not reviewed.

Ackerman, Diane, "Slices of life," Discover 14(Nov):102, 1993.

Recounts many childhood trips to the gem collection of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Of pearls and ambergris he says, "Next to the opals are open clamshells . . . . In each one, pearls have been formed by the coating of stray grit with a smooth, gemlike luster. Sperm whales produce ambergris in a similar way to hide jagged annoyances (squid beaks and such). Both result in great beauty, and I love looking at them because they are a Zen-like reminder that there are many ways to deal with irritations."

"Amber and ambergris," All The Year Round 8(Nov 2, 1872):607-609.

Ambergris is found along the shores of Africa, the Mediterranean, the East and West Indies and the west coast of Ireland. The Dutch East India Company bought a piece from the King of Tidore in 1693 for 1,000 thalers which weighed 182 lb. The Grand Duke of Tuscany offered 50,000 crowns for it. Arabs once trained camels to hunt for it by scent at night along the seashore. King Charles II of France's favorite dish was eggs and ambergris. At the time the article was written it was used to scent pastilles, candles, soap washballs and "other of those toilet mysteries which men-folk are not permitted to inquire about too minutely." The article also contains a good deal of lore surrounding true amber.

Baker, C. P., "Treasures beyond the Taj Mahal, India’s most famous building
is but the starting point for a series of sensory delights," Newsday,
Sec. Travel, p. 8, Sunday, March 29, 1987.

In the Taj Mahal, in its palmier days, "The air was sweet with the scent of incense blossoms, ambergris , aloewood and fragrant compositions . . . invented by his majesty."

Böhme, T. "Ambra und Aloe." Sinn Form. 44(sep-Oct 1992):841.

Not reviewed.

Carpenter, Betsy and Karen F. Schmidt, "Whales," U.S. News & World
Report 113(2):58, July 13, 1992.

The International Whaling Commission may lift the ban on international commercial whaling because many species have recovered their numbers and scientists have found that whales may not be as intelligent as initially thought. The behavior of whales is described. Twenty-five years ago, whales were hunted ruthlessly, their flesh turned to food, their oil to industrial lubricants and their ambergris to perfume. In some ways, they symbolized the mystery and immense power of nature, inspiring, like Herman Melville’sMoby Dick, a mix of awe and fear

Carr, S., "Ambergris and isinglass," Agenda 30(Fall):34, 1992.

An article on or of poetry, not reviewed.

Clarke, A. C., "Secrets of the sea; of whales and perfume", Holiday 27(Feb. 1960):37

A "popular science" type article on ambergris, its origins, chemistry and use in perfumery.

Englund, Kirsten and Kathy Glass, "Japanese whaling: Saving whales in a
clash of cultures," Whole Earth Review 5(Winter):98, 1990.

At the height of the whaling days American whalers took only the blubber, baleen, teeth and, in the case of sperm whales, ambergris . The rest of the whale was cut adrift to rot. Thousands of pounds of meat and offal drifted ashore in Japan. The Japanese, who used every part of the whale and wasted nothing were horrified.

"A glossary of scented terms," San Francisco Chronicle, Sec. People, Wed.,
March 29, 1989, p. B5.

In ancient and not-so-ancient perfumery, "animal notes" were provided by important ingredients such as musk, civet, ambergris and castoreum. In modern perfumery, aroma chemicals are now mostly synthetically derived.

Gordon, Mark, "The great ambergris rush: When everyone in Bolinas was going
to be rich," San Francisco Chronicle, Sec. This World, Sun., Mar. 6, 1978, 1988.

The comic story of a brief moment of madness in California history when a small find of rather poor quality ambergris in 1923 on a beach in Marin County mushroomed overnight into an "ambergris rush" that upset the life of the town of Bolinas for weeks and spawned a short-lived local industry. (See Hoag, E., below)

Green, T., "Making scents is more complicated than you’d think,"
Smithsonian 22(3):52, June, 1991.

The touch of nature in scents from animal products has been largely replaced by synthetics as the perfume industry has bowed to pressure from conservationists in recent years. Extracts from the pungent scent glands of the musk, a small deer found in the northern Himalayan regions of Tibet and China; of the civet cat, which is mainly bred in captivity in Ethiopia; of the beaver from Canada and Siberia, were used for centuries. So was ambergris, from the intestines of the sperm whale, an endangered animal protected, with all its products, since 1970 in the United States, and by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species since 1977. All these substances helped fix the various essential oils to insure that fragrance remained long after the bottle was opened.

"Groom’s unwise liaison," Cosmetic World News 142-1:(Jun 1992):1.

The article focuses on the travels of Nigel Groom, author of The Perfume Handbook, in the Near East and the Orient. It also contains a good deal of historical information on the uses of scents and spices in the Arab world, including ambergris, and the customs and mores that surrounded their use particularly in the bath, in the harem and in nuptial ceremonies.

Hoag, E., "Wealth from ambergris," Popular Mechanics 49(Jan 1928):43-4.

A popular account of celebrated rags-to-riches stories about those who made finds of large pieces of ambergris while beach combing. It makes reference to the great "Ambergris Rush" of California in Bolinas. (See Gordon, Mark, above)

Hoffmann, H.-M., "Chypre," Perfum. Flavor. 10(2):66-69, 1985.

The island of Chypre (Cyprus) is located in the easternmost part of the Mediterranean Sea and lies on the navigation line followed, from the most ancient times to our day, by ships going from the Middle East to Greece and Italy. Thus it is understandable that this island became a focal point for the trade of odorant materials produced in these areas of the world, and that Cyprus became one of the first important perfume centers. Toward the end of the 19th century, fragrances presenting some common characteristics and using some of these resins appeared on the market under the generic term of "Chypre". Very soon every parfumeur wanted his own version of Chypre. The materials most often used were bergamot, orange, rose, jasmine, orange blossom, carnation, sandalwood, labdanum, myrrh, vanilla, musk, civet, castoreum, ambergris and, sometimes, honey notes. There was nothing really different in these bouquets and only by varying the proportions between the constituents was the perfumer able to differentiate one creation from the others.

Horton, M., "The Swahili corridor," Scientific American 257(Sept 1987):86.

In the days of the great African kingdoms in what is now known as "The Swahili Corridor," ambergris, ivory and gold were traded to China through Arab merchants.

"How curiosity killed a whale," The Ashlar 4(Aug 1934):12.

An account of how a beachcomber found a lump of ambergris.

Hudson, S., "Beachcomber’s bonanza; cachalot or sperm whale and ambergris,"
Nature 36(Feb 1943):70-1.

A brief article on ambergris, its origins, and how and where to find it.

Hutton, D. A., "Goa stone," Pharm. J. 225(Dec 20-17):710-711, 1980.

The history, composition, formulation and therapeutic applications of the Goa Stone, a universal remedy introduced in seventeenth century England, is presented. The stones, which originated from Goa and are found in the form of oval balls weighing up to one pound, were generally encased in decorated gold or silver spheres. The formulation consisted of a number of powdered ingredients which included precious stones, bezoar, musk, ambergris and gold leaf, levigated into a fine, impalpable powder and formed into oval balls with mucilage. The stone had a very short life as a reputable medicine and is now used only for the pleasant odor imparted by the musk and ambergris they contain.

Idyll, C. P., "Ambergris: Neptune’s treasure," Science Digest 45(Jun 1959):1-5.

Not reviewed.

"In quest of floating gold," Literary Digest 116(Sept. 23, 1933):18.

Not reviewed

James, D. B., "On a sperm whale landed at Kallpeni Island with notes on ambergris,"
Indian Counc. Agric. Res. Mar. Fish. Serv. Tech. Ext. Ser. No. 104
1990:11-14, 25-16.

Kalich, T., "What’s in a smell? The perfume industry is now mainly an American one,
and it has a problem or two, " Atlantic 260(3):34, Oct, 1987.

What binds together a perfume’s numerous raw materials, usually very expensive natural or somewhat cheaper synthetic scents, of which there may be as many as 1,200, is the fixative. There are a number of synthetic ones, but civet, a secretion of Ethiopia’s civet cat, is the natural fixative of choice. Others include castoreum (a secretion of the Canadian beaver), musk (a secretion of the Himalayan musk deer), and ambergris (which is found in the digestive tract of the sperm whale).

McKenzie, J. N., "In quest of the elusive ambergris," Newsday, Nassau and Suffolk
Ed., Sec. Sports, p. 29, Sunday, July 2, 1989.

A comical excursion into the life and dreams of an inveterate ambergris hunter and beachcomber. It turns out that what he thought was a lump of ambergris worth thousands was, in fact, a bale of raw rubber, also worth quite a lot.

Meisler, Stanley, "The golden age of Andalusia under the Muslim sultans,"
Smithsonian 23(5):42, August, 1992.

A description of that era, and its surviving monuments, is presented along with descriptions of objects of art in the Alhambra. Among them is mentioned a pyxis, an ivory box fashioned from the natural cylindrical shape of a tusk, probably used to hold gifts of ambergris, musk and camphor aromatics then used as cosmetics and medicines. This one is carved with a host of elaborate scenes, including one showing two horsemen, accompanied by cheetahs and birds, picking dates off a tree.

Morse, G. H. "Gold Dust Tom; or, Ambergris Ben's double match," in Beadle's
Half Dime Library, Vol. 15, no. 374, Sept. 23, 1884.

Not reviewed

Morse, J. D., "Ocean gold," Saint Nicholas 61(April 1934):319-11.

Not reviewed.

Peters, J. C., "Fisherman’s haul worth $500 a pound," Science Digest
18(Dec 1945):46-7.

Not reviewed.

Pich, W. C., "The whale’s pearl," Oceans 18(May/June 1985):23-5.

The article gives the customary description and explanation of origin in the sperm whale. Ambergris is worth $100-$150/lb. on the market. Avicenna ascribed is formation to the belchings of undersea volcanos. Kublio thought it was bird guano. The Chinese call it lung yen, dragon's spittle, and their nobles drank it as an aphrodisiac to increase male potency. Nero's wife Poppaea Sabina is reputed to have had oil of ambergris poured in her bath in 54AD. The Crusaders brought ambergris back with them to Europe, of which Pich remarks, "During the European Dark Ages the only common fragrance was body odor."

Piest, C. S., "The sperm whale. Spermaceti and ambergris," The Australasian
Journal of Pharmacy 26(312):905-906, 1945.

Samson, Joan P., "The ambiguity of ambergris in Moby Dick," College
Literature 2(Winter 1975):226-128.

Ambergris is mentioned several times in Moby Dick. In Chapter 92 the Pequod encounters the Rosebud looking for its captain's lost son, wracked by plague and dragging a stinking, rotting sperm whale carcass alongside. Of the encounter Ishmael observes, "Suddenly, from out of the very heart of this plague, there stole a faint stream of perfume. " - ambergris in the dead whale. In this encounter, in which even the name Rosebud is ironic, ambergris symbolizes the duality of existence; the dichotomy between illusion and reality; the ambiguity of external appearances that can cause something to stink outside and be sweet inside; and, the irony and disparity between the painful origins of ambergris in the whale, its death form whaling, and its uses in perfumery and human adornment.

Schama, S., "The foul and the fragrant: Odor and the French social imagination,"
New Republic 196(Feb 23, 1987):27.

...great that it made all animal essence repellent, especially those extracted--like civet, musk, and ambergris --from the mammals’ meatier regions. In their place, as a kind of social pomander to...cut than Corbin suggests. In fact, the evidence for the disuse of civet, musk, and ambergris in the 19th century is very thin. If they were used more sparingly in commercially...

Schortman, E. F. "A short history of whaling in Bermuda," Mariner’s Mirror
55(1):77-85, 1969

The discovery of ambergris in 1611 marked the start of a long association between the Bermuda islands and the whaling industry. Governmental restrictions deterred the development of the industry and were not lifted until 1738. The author describes early methods and whale houses. Bermudans were involved with whaling activities in Nantucket, particularly when other marine ventures, from trading and fishing to piracy and smuggling, were at their remunerative ebb. The last brief appearance of whaling occurred after the American Civil War. At the end of the 19th century whales became relatively scarce, probably due to the Royal Navy’s target practice in the waters frequented by whales.

Stevenson, H., "Value and uses of ambergris," Scientific American Supplement
58(Aug 6, 1904):23913-4.

Not reviewed.

Yamada, K., "A short history of ambergris by the Arabs and Chinese in
the Indian Ocean," Kinki Daigaku Sekai Keizai Kenkyujo Kenkyu Hokoku.
no. 8 [Report of the Institute of World Economics, the Kinki University,
no. 8], 1955.

Not reviewed.

Verrill, A. H., "Side-lights on perfumes," Science Digest 9(Apr 1941):74-6.

Not reviewed.

Wetjen, A. R., "For my lady," Colliers 90(July 30, 1932):18-10.

Not reviewed.


Business Literature -

"180 kg d’ambre de Nouvelle Zelande chez Hasslauer," Parfums, Cosmet., Aromes
105. July 1, 1970.

Hasslauer has 180 kg of ambergris, found on a beach in New Zealand after a storm. The ambergris is likely to sell for FFR 45,000/kg. Following the Washington Convention of 1973, protecting the white whale, the numbers of naturally dead whales are increasing, increasing the supply of ambergris, and there are hopes of a fall in its price, for use in perfumery.

"Ambergris same as refined natural product. Kuraray: Develops way to remove
d-ambergris from synthesized ambergris," Japan Chemical Week,
Oct. 10, 1991, p. 3

Kuraray has developed a way to remove the unwanted d-ambergris from its synthesized ambergris, leaving only the same l-ambergris that is found in nature, and that is used as a fragrance. l-Ambergris was once obtained from sperm whales. Its main source is now sclareol from clary sage plants, but this is expensive. The firm now hopes to find applications for by product d-ambergris.

"Ambergris manufacture seen as possibility," Science News Letter
66(August 28, 1954):131.

A brief note on the synthetic work on ambergris-like fragrances then taking place with a prediction that artificial ambrox would be available shortly from one of the major perfumers or fragrance houses.

"DNAP venture to supply plant flavors, fragrances," Biotechnology Newswatch
11(August 5, 1991):2.

DNA Plant Technology Corp. (DNAP) and a group of European investors have formed Ingredient Technology Corp. (ITC), Perugia, Italy, to produce plant-derived flavor and fragrances. ITC is conducting large-scale field trials of the plants for abienol and sclareol this growing season in Italy. ITC will use proprietary lines of tobacco plants developed by DNAP via somaclonal variation to produce high levels of abienol and sclareol, which are used to create Ambrox, the compound formerly extracted from ambergris, that imparts a musk fragrance in various consumer products. The investors were primarily from the Umbria Park Technology Center in the heart of Italy’s tobacco-growing region.

"Hasegawa develops intermediate for ambrox," Japan Chemical Week
Jul. 11, 1985, p.1,2

Hasegawa has developed technology for an intermediate for synthesizing ambrox, which emits a fragrance like amber. The intermediate is alpha or beta-monocyclohomofarnesylic acid and can synthesize racemic ambrox, which is derived from natural raw material. T Hasegawa will develop ambrox, improving the intermediate technology. At present, ambrox is derived from ambergris, a natural substance found in the body of whales.

"Kuraray Establishes Synthesis Processes For Three Perfumes. Kuraray:
Develops ways to synthesize irone, musk & ambergris perfume materials,"
Japan Chemical Week Oct, 25, 1990, p. 1

Kuraray has developed processes to synthesize irone, musk and ambergris, 3 natural perfume materials that are difficult to obtain. Kuraray’s synthetic form of ambergris, extremely rare in its natural form due to the ban on whaling, is made from raw materials produced in-house and displays excellent fragrance retention. Current forms of synthetic ambergris are made from sclareol extracted from tobacco leaves, but the raw material is not available at commercial levels of supply or price.

"Five-year moss crop harvested." Household & Personal Products Industry
May, 1985, p. 96

About 1 ton of oak moss lichen will be produced at the Bakhehisarai perfume enterprise in the Crimea, USSR in 1985. The moss will be used as an alternative to the more expensive ambergris used to the fix the fragrance of many perfumes. The moss crops are harvested only once every 5 years, giving the trees time to rest.

"Fragrances by DNAP," Applied Genetics News June, 1991

DNA Plant Technology Corp. is applying genetic engineering and somaclonal selection methods to create high-yielding varieties of plants producing high-value fragrance compounds. DNAP and Firmenich, a major flavor and aroma company, obtained a patent for a modified tobacco producing high yields of sclareol, a compound serving as raw material for the synthesis of ambrox, a synthetic ambergris compound, used in fragrances. The current market for sclareol is 27,000-45,000 kilograms annually, at a recent price of about $500/kilo. The new tobacco variety produces twice the amount of sclareol than that of clary sage, Salvia slcarea, the only other commercial source.

Jones, Liz, "Getting down to business," Soap Perfumery &
Cosmetics 66(12):35.

An examination of the new "environmentally friendly" alternatives to animal scents such as civet, ambergris, castoreum and musk. The synthetics are not only cheaper and more reliable in supply but spare possibly endangered animals from unnecessary hunting.

"Synthetic but sweet," Newsweek 46(November 7, 1955):60.

An article from the popular press on various synthetic fragrances including ambrox, the principal active scent molecule in ambergris.

Topfer, K., "Firmenich, DNAP receive bioengineering patent," Chem. Market.
Reporter 239(May 13, 1991):5,24.

DNA Plant Technology and Firmenich company have been given a patent for a tobacco plant which yields high levels of sclareol used in amber fragrance manufacturing of ambrox. The ingredient was formerly obtained from the pot-whale.


Scientific Periodicals -

"Ambergris tincture," Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 14(Dec Suppl.):675, 1976

Not reviewed.

Barrero A.F. et al.., "Synthesis of Ambrox (R) from communic acids,"
Tetrahedron 49(28):6251-6262, 1993

Two routes for preparing Ambrox from the methyl esters of trans-communic acid and/or cis-communic acid, via selective degradation of their side chains, stereoselective formation of the tetrahydrofurane ring, and reduction of the axial methoxycarbonyl group, are described.

Barrero A.F. et al., "Amber-type odorants from communic acids,"
Tetrahedron 49(42):9525-9534, 1993

A mixture of the methyl esters of communic acids was used in the synthesis of the ambergris-type odorants Ambrox and ambracetal. Both syntheses involve methyl ketone as the key intermediate.

Barrero A.F. et al., "Synthesis of ambrox (R) from (-)-sclareol and
(+)-cis-abienol," Tetrahedron 49(45):10405-10412, 1993.

Short and efficient syntheses of (-)-Ambrox (R) (12) from (-)-sclareol (1) and (+)-cis-abienol (11) are described. In contrast to previously described procedures, the transformation of 1 to 12, involving in the key step, an oxidative degradation by catalytic osmium tetroxide, in the presence of sodium periodate, has the advantage of using the more suitable sodium borohydride, as the reducing agent. The isolation and characterization of some reaction intermediates allowed us to confirm the degradation mechanism.

Bersuker, I.B. et al., "Structural and electronic origin of ambergris
odor of cyclic compounds", Nouveau Journal de Chimie
9(March 1985):211-18.

The correlation between structure and ambergris odor of decline compounds is established using a logical structural analysis employing stereochemical and electronic structure parameters. A definite structural fragment (the ambergris triangle) with certain electronic properties (the acceptor MO) determining the origin of the odor is revealed.

Bremshey-Wilhelm, M., "Ambergris aroma materials from the sperm-whale,"
Chemische Rundschau, 40(1941):3

Ambergris is found in the gut of the sperm whale (potwhale). It is possible that it represents a pathological product of biotransformation of isoprenoids found in the whale’s food. Upon extraction of the gray to black mass with ethanol followed by photooxidation odorless ambrein yields a strongly ambergris-scented compound, ambrox. Ambrox can be classified as both a triterpene and a tricyclic, five-ringed ether.

Brunke, E.-J., "Lower homologues and analogues of ambergris fragrance
compounds, " in Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium
on Olfaction and Taste and of the Fourth Congress of the European
Chemoreception Research Organization, ed H. van der Starre,
London: IRL Press Ltd., 1980, p. 31-14.

The odor of ambergris tincture is composed of different odor qualities. A wet earthy and musty odor is combined with sea water, seaweed, tobacco and fecal notes. An exalting effect of musk type is ascertainable in high dilutions. The tricyclic ether Ambroxan., which represents the powerful ambergris effect, has been detected for the first time in the tincture. As a contribution to the definition of molecular structures that possess ambergris effect, the author synthesized lower homologues of Ambroxan.

Büchi, G., and H. Wüest, "The synthesis of racemic Ambrox SUP (R),"
Helv. Chim. Acta 72 (5) 996-1000, 1989.

Not reviewed.

Cambie, R.C. et al., "Chemistry of the Podocarpaceae. [I - LXXV, parts titled
according to specific subject]," Aust. J. Chem. 20-42:1967-1989.

A monumental series of over 70 scientific papers by Richard Cambie and his colleagues at the University of Aukland in New Zealand on the chemistry of the pandanus family (Podocarpaceae) common in that region of the world. Many articles published in the period from 1967 to the present discuss the synthesis of labdanoid and cembranoid compounds from various terpenes extracted from members of the pandanus family that have ambergris-like odor characteristics. Cambie and his associates were among the first to synthetically produce ambergris-like compounds in commercially feasible quantities.

Chanslor, J. W., "Treasure from the sea," in Energy from the sea; marine
resources readings, ed B. L. Gordon, Watch Hill, RI: The Book and
Tackle Shop, 1977, p. 318-125.

Not reviewed.

Chastrette, M. et al., "On the role of chirality in structure-odor
relationships," Chem. Senses 17(Oct 1992):555-572.

Not reviewed.

Cheetham, P. S. J., "The use of biotransformations for the production
of flavors and fragrances - flavor, fragrance and cosmetic
production by biotransformations by fungus, yeast and bacterium,"
Trends Biotechnol. 11(11):478-88, 1993.

A review of the literature. The application of novel and commercially successful processes are discussed including the production of ambergris aroma chemicals, originally from sperm whales, recently discovered to be produced by a dimorphic yeast Hyphozyma roseoniger and by Cryptococcus sp.

Cortes, M., J. T. Lopez and Y. V. Armstrong, "Synthesis of cyclic acetals
related to ambergris, " Bol. Soc. Chilena Quim. 37(Dec):279-183, 1992

Not reviewed.

Coste-Maniere I.C., J.-P. Zahra and B. Wägell, "Synthesis of ambergris
fragrance chemicals from sclareol, involving palladium catalysed
key steps," Tetrahedron Letters 29(9):1017-1020, 1988.

Not reviewed.

Decorzant, R., Vial, C. and F. Näf, "A short synthesis of Ambrox from
sclareol," Tetrahedron 43(8):1871-1879, 1987.

Not reviewed.

Dubois, P. A. "Hypotheses relative to the biological origin of ambergris,"
Parfums, Cosmet., Aromes 19:35-45, 1978.

Develops the hypothesis that ambergris is produced in the colon of the sperm whale, Physeter catodon L., in response to irritation caused by the beaks of ingested squid. The whale secretes a waxy substance, consisting largely of cholesterol, in response to irritation or damage which encases the offending objects. Action of the gut microflora produces changes in color and chemistry in the mass. The concretion is voided into the sea periodically and undergoes photooxidation in sea water to become ambergris. In larger whales the concretion may build up in the colon to pathological levels and even result in death by intestinal obstruction.

Farbood, M. I., "Microorganisms as a novel source of flavor compounds -
flavor and fragrance production," Biochem. Soc. Trans.
19(3):690-94, 1991.

Sclareol conversion to its diol (as a precursor of Ambrox, the principal scent compound of ambergris) using Hyphozyma roseoniger; and screening of soil isolates using sclareol as sole C-source to isolate Cryptococcus albidus ATCC 20918 and ATCC 20921 (sclareolide producer), Cryptococcus laurentii ATCC 20920 and Bensingtonia ciliata ATCC 20919 (diol producer). These approaches are applicable to the production of highly-valued natural flavor ingredients. Fermentation processes can be developed as alternatives to classical organic synthesis for flavor, fragrance and other fine chemicals.

Gonzalez-Sierra, M. et al., "A new synthesis of ambrox and related
compounds," Heterocycles 26(11):2801-1804, 1987.

Not reviewed.

Gorbachev, M. Yu. et al., "Role of electronic and structural factors in the
origin of ambergris-type odors in cyclic compounds", Theoretical and
Experimental Chemistry 22(May/June 1986):340-4.

The relationship between the electronic structure and odorant properties of organic compounds has been investigated. The conclusion previously drawn in previously regarding the electronic-topological features characterizing the active portion of the molecule (the ‘ambergris triangle’) has been confirmed on the basis of quantum-chemical CNDO calculations. Possibilities for designing new compounds with an ambergris-type odor have been demonstrated with the aid of the prediction system devised.

Gore, V. K. et al., "Convenient synthesis of decalin systems of
bioactive terpenoids," Tetrahedron 49(Mar 26, 1993):2767-1782.

New analogues of bioactive terpenoids, forskolin, nimbolide, isozonarol and ambrox have been synthesized using general Diels-Alder reaction of 2-formyl-4,4-dimethyl-cyclohexa-1,5-dienone with 1,2-disubstituted-1,3-dienes which yielded endo- and exo-adducts. The deformylation, epimerisation, angular methylation, reduction and oxidation studies on these adducts have been reported.

Governo, T. F., R. T. Alessandro and M. J. Prager, "Gas liquid chromatographic
mass spectrometric detection and identification of ambergris,"
Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists
60(1):160-164, 1977

A GLC-mass spectrometric method for the detection and identification of ambergris, a complex mixture of natural compounds produced in the stomach of the whale, in its natural state or in perfume preparations is described. Solid samples are extracted; liquid samples are concentrated. Ambrein, a major component of ambergris, is separated by GLC on an OV [methyl siloxane polymer]-17 capillary column, detected by flame ionization, and identified by mass spectrometry. Sample retention times and mass spectra were compared with those of purified material isolated from reference ambergris samples. Several types of perfume-related samples were tested. This method was satisfactory for samples of high concentration such as ambergris extracts and for samples of low ambrein concentration typical of perfume formulations.

Hoffmann, H.-M. and D. Pauluth, "Terpenes and terpenoid compounds. 14.
Synthesis of oxygenated derivatives in the tetramethyllimonene
series. New odorants of the wood-ambergris type," Liebigs Ann.
Chem. (2):396-402, 1985.

A practical preparation of tetramethyl-b-terpineol, cis-tetramethyl-b-terpineol, trans-tetramethyl-b-terpineol, tetramethyl-(+/-)-8-menthadiene, its spirocyclic epoxide, and tetramethyl-isocryptone is described. Some of the new tetramethylated monoterpenes, unlike the simple C10-monoterpenes, have a woody-ambergris-like odour.

Hosokawa, H., and T. Shibamoto, "Odor tenacity of perfumery materials,"
Perfum. Flavor. 2 (7 ):29-10, 1978.

Not reviewed.

"Isolating the essentials of fragrance," Manufacturing Chemist 64(Feb):24.

Ambergris is banned from importation and sale in the U.S. but is still used elsewhere in the world as a natural ingredient of many fine fragrances.

Ivashin, M. V. "Ambra [Ambergris]," Zool. Zhur. 42(7):1099-1103, 1963.

Ambergris occurs principally in sperm whales greater than 13.5 meters in length. In freshly killed whales it is found only in the colon where it is presumed to be formed. Only 3 - 4% of all sperm whales caught in the Soviet whaling fishery are found to contain ambergris in the gut. The process of formation may, therefore, be pathological.

Jegou, Elise, et al., "Ambergris revisited. Isolation of volatile
constituents; identification and synthesis of ambra-aldehyde C14H22O,"
Nouv. J. Chim. 1(6):529-11, 1977.

Not reviewed

Kawanobe, T., K. Kogami, K. Hayashi and M. Matsui, "New synthesis of
gamma-homocyclogeranial, gamma-dihydroionone and their derivatives
(Ambergris)," Agr. Biol. Chem. 48(Feb 1984):461-464.

Not reviewed

Lambertsen, R. H. and B. A. Kohn, "Unusual multisystemic pathology in
a sperm whale bull," J. Wildl. Dis. 23(Jul 1987):510-4.

This report describes an unusual combination of lesions and apparent behavioral abnormalities in a sexually mature sperm whale bull taken in whaling operations off Iceland. Lesions included heavy combative scarring of the head, grossly roughened and thickened skin on the lower left flank, cutaneous maculae, genital papillomatosis, partial duodenal obstruction by plastic debris, colo-rectal obstruction by ambergris, cystic degeneration of the right kidney, and a deeply ulcerative gastric nematodiasis. Sealskin was found in the stomach. Gross and histopathologic observations suggested that the disease complex in this animal may have been related both to habitat degradation and health risks naturally associated with its ecology and age.

Lederer, E., "Sur les constituants de l’ambre gris. I. Isolement d’une
paraffine liquide," Trav. Membres Bull. Soc. Chim. Biol.
25:1239-1241, 1943.

Ambergris is 4% paraffin liquid C18H38 similar to pristane in fish oil probably derived from partially digested squid.

Liu, Shuwen, "Preparation of Ambergris-type perfume from sclareol,"
Huaxue Shijie 24(4 ):102-5, 1983.

Not reviewed.

Lopez J., C. Trespalacios, W. Pena and M. Cortes, "Synthesis of
g-bicyclohomofarnesal and 14,15,16,20-tetranorlabdan-8b-13-diol,"
Synth. Commun. 22(17):2599-1605),

The preparation of the ambergris odorant, g-bicyclohomofarnesal and 14,15,16,20-tetranorlabdan-8b-13-diol from chiral enone is described.

"The major components of ambergris have been identified as triterpenoid,"
Perfumer & Flavorist Sep. 1978, p. 54

Ambergris, a complex mixture of natural compounds which are produced in the stomach and intestinal tract of the sperm whale, has a bittersweet, animal odor. Ambrein (ambra-13, 18(28) dien-8-ol), epicoprostanol and coprostone are the major components of ambergris. TF Governo et al have described a GC-MS method for determining ambrein and thereby detecting the use of ambergris concrete in a perfumed preparation, as the presence of ambrein is proof of the presence of ambergris in a perfume creation.

Maleczka, R. E., Jr. and L. A. Paquette, "Adaptation of oxyanionic
sigmatropy to the convergent enantioselective synthesis of
ambergris-type odorants," Journal of Organic Chemistry,
56(23):6538-6546, 1991.

Not reviewed.

Martres P. et al., "Synthesis of norambracetal: A new ambergris
derivative," Tetrahedron Letters 34(19):3127-1128, 1993

The authors describe the synthesis of norambracetal from sclareol using gamma-homobicyclo-farnesilic aldehyde as a key intermediate.

Martres P. et al., "A short and efficient synthesis of (-)-Ambrox
(R) from (-)-sclareol using a ruthenium oxide catalyzed key
step," Tetrahedron Letters 34(4):629-632, 1993.

(-)-Ambrox (R) has been synthesized in 3 steps from natural (-)-sclareol. Depending on the reoxidizing agents and the reaction conditions used in the ruthenium oxide catalyzed key step, overall yields of 79% (NaIO4/RuO4) or 48% (Ca(OCl)2/RuO4-) were observed.

Mateos A. F. et al., "Synthesis of spiroethers related to ambergris
fragrances from dimethyl agathate," Bull. Soc. Chim.
France, 6(Nov/Dec):898-903, 1991.

Not reviewed.

Mookherjee, B. D., and R. R. Patel, "Isolation and identification of
volatile constituents of tincture ambergris," in Int. Congr.
Essent. Oils, (Pap.), 7th, Tokyo, Japan: Japan Flavor
Fragrance Manufacturer’s Assoc., p. 479-82 , 1979.

Not reviewed.

Mori, K. and H. Tamura, "Triterpenoid total synthesis. I. Synthesis
of ambrein and ambrox," Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1990(4):361-8.

Not reviewed.

Nair M.S. and A. T. Anilkumar, "Lipase catalysed regioselective acylation:
A facile method for the synthesis of commercially important
ambrox (R) intermediate," Biotechnol. Lett. 6(2):161-162, 1994.

Not reviewed.

Nicot, J., "Observations preliminaires sur la mycoflore de l’ambre
gris, " in Biodegradation et Humification: Rapport du
Colloque International 1st: 267-170, 1975.

Not reviewed.

Nishi, Y. and H. Ishihara, "Synthesis of (-)-Ambrox (R) from
(-)-levopimaric acid," Yukagaku 38(4):276-179, 1989.

Not reviewed.

Ohloff, G., "The fragrance of ambergris," in Fragrance Chemistry:
Science of the Sense of Smell, ed. E. T. Theimer,
New York: Academic, pp. 535-73, 1982..

Not reviewed.

________, "Stereochemistry-activity relationships in human odor
sensation: ‘The triaxial rule’" in Proceedings of the
Seventh International Symposium on Olfaction and Taste and
of the Fourth Congress of the European Chemoreception Research
Organization, ed H. van der Starre, H., London: RL
Press Ltd., 1980. p. 3-11.

In several examples the molecular parameters responsible for the release of ambergris odor are assessed. Stereochemistry supplies the most essential information. Results obtained from structure modification are covered by a model which is described in the triaxial rule of odor sensation. The principle of this molecular rule can be extended to certain types of natural substances. Thus, sesquiterpene derived from the eudesmanes and eremophilanes fit very well into the triaxial rule, as do the odoriferous steroids. In the case of androsta-4,16-dien-1-one, complete enantioselectivity of odor sensation was found.

________ and W. S. Giersch, "Structure-activity relationships in
odor perception of drimane derivatives," Croat. Chem. Acta
58(4):491-509, 1985.

The woody, ambergris-like odor of trans-decalone derivatives increases with the introduction of equatorial alkyl substituents in the C(9)-position and decreases drastically in the corresponding 9-epi derivatives. Complete stereocontrol of odor perception has been observed. A similar tendency in odor perception has been recognized in substituted alcohols. The sandalwood-like ambergris note found in Polywood) disappeared in corresponding alkyl substituted acetates. The molecular basis of the "steroid-type" scent of some esters was hitherto unknown.

________, K. H. Schulte-Elte and B. L. Müller, "Formation of
ambergris odorants from ambrein under simulated natural conditions," Helv. Chim. Acta 60(8):2763-1766, 1977.

Singlet oxygen oxygenation of ambrein caused degradation of the primarily formed allyl hydroperoxides to four naturally occurring ambergris odorants. The results suggest that singlet oxygen is an active reagent in the biodegradation of the tricyclic triterpene alcohol ambrein in ambergris, a secretion of the blue sperm whale [sic].

________ et al., "Significance of the geminal dimethyl group
in the odor principle of Ambrox (R)," Helv. Chim. Acta
68(7):2022-1029, 1985.

Not reviewed.

Opdyke, D. L. J., "Monographs on fragrance raw materials. Ambergris
tincture," Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 14(Suppl.):675-6, 1976

Not reviewed.

Oritani, T., K. Yamashita and M. Matsui, "Chemical studies on ambergris:
IV. The configuration of ambrein," Agr. Biol. Chem.
34(98):1244-1248, 1970.

The article presents the NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectrum of ambrein and proposes a chemical stereochemical configuration for the molecule.

Ruzicka, L., C. F. Seidell and M. Pfeiffer, "Über die flüchtigen
Bestandteile des grauen Ambra. 1. Isolierung von
Dihydro-g-jonon," Helv. Chim. Acta 31(3):827-831, 1948.

Describes the chemical isolation of dihydro-g-ionone from ambergris.

Snowden R.L. and S. M. Linder, "A formal synthesis of (+/-)-ambrox (R),"
Tetrahedron Letters 32(33):4119-4120, 1991.

Bicyclic diol, a direct precursor of (+/-)-Ambrox (R) ((+/-)-7), has been synthesized in four steps (35% yield) from the known bicyclic enone.

Snowden, Roger L. et al., "Internal nucleophilic termination in
biomimetic acid mediated polyene cyclizations: stereochemical
and mechanistic implications: synthesis of (+/-)- ambrox and
its diastereoisomers." Journal of Organic Chemistry
57(3)955, Jan 31, 1992.

The use of excess fluorosulfonic acid in 2- nitropropane allows the efficient cyclization of isomeric polyenols to norlabdane oxides, which are tricyclic ethers used as synthetic essences. The triple ring formation involves the hydroxyl as an internal nucleophilic terminator. Its stereodirection is determined by the position of the side chain close to the cyclohexyl, formed either by stereoselective protonation or by cyclohexyl conformation. The lower rate of isomerization vs. cyclization ensures that an equatorial side chain yields a trans A/B ring junction while anaxial chain yields a cis A/B ring junction.

Snowden, R. L. et al., "Internal nucleophilic termination in
acid-mediated polyene cyclizations - Synthetic access to
methyl homologs of (+/-)-Ambrox(R) and its diasteroisomers,"
Helv. Chim. Acta 76(4):1608-1618, 1993.

Treatment of ten monocyclic dienols 8-11 with an excess of fluorosulfonic acid in 2-nitropropane at -90-degrees afforded diastereoisomeric mixtures of racemic tricyclic ethers 12-14 in 81-91 % yield (see Tables 1 and 2). These transformations represent further examples of biomimetic acid-mediated cyclizations in which an OH group serves as the internal nucleophilic terminator. A non-synchronous process is postulated, and the examples described strongly re-enforce our working mechanistic hypothesis, whereby the stereochemical course of cyclizations is directed by the orientation of the side chain vicinal to the intermediate cyclohexyl cation (see Schemes 4 and 5). It is also demonstrated that the efficiency of this process is independent of the nature of the OH group, which may be primary, secondary, or tertiary. In addition, the organoleptic properties of 12 14, Me homologs of known odorants such as Ambrox(R) ((-)-1a) and its diastereoisomers, are briefly discussed.

Taha, S. A., "Chemical investigation of the internal secretion of the
sperm blue whale," Pakhistan Journal of Pharmaceutical
Sciences 2(2):105-110, 1989.

Ambergris, which is an internal secretion of the sperm blue whale [sic], was extracted with 96% ethanol. The saponified and unsaponified portions were studied in detail. The number of fractions and components of the unsaponified matter as separated by column and thin layer chromatography confirm the presence of ambrein (triterpenoid) as well as some other steroids. The saponified portion is reported to contain stearic, oleic, linoleic, archidic and betenic acids.

________, "Effect of ambrein on blood glucose levels of rats,"
J. Ethno Pharmacol. 35(2):145-148, 1991.

The hypoglycemic effect of ambrein, the major constituent of ambergris from Physeter catodon, on normal and alloxan-diabetic rats is described. The drug reduced blood glucose in normal and moderately alloxan-diabetic rats but not in severely diabetic rats. Results suggest that the hypoglycemic activity may be mediated by enhanced glucose utilization.

________, "Studies on the mode of action of ambrein as a new
antinociceptive compound," Jap. J. Pharmacol. 60(2):67-72, 1992

The compound ambrein was isolated from ambergris, which is commonly used as an analgesic in the Saudi folklore medicine. The LD50 of ambrein, given intraperitoneally (i.p.) in mice, was found to be high (7.5 g/kg), and ambrein proved to be a safe compound in this species. In the hot plate test, ambrein was found to possess antinociceptive activity in mice at doses which did not sedate or incapacitate the animals. By the i.p. administration route, ambrein produced antinociception in mice at a dose as low as 10 mg/kg. The antinociceptive activity of ambrein (250 mg/kg i.p.) was inhibited by a noradrenergic neurotoxin (DSP-4) and by naloxone, methysergide or prazosin. It was not influenced by a serotonin depletor, p-chlorophenylalanine. The possible mechanism of ambrein antinociception is discussed.

________, "The role of prostaglandin E2 in the anti-inflammatory
and antinociceptive activities of ambrein," Med. Sci.
Res. 22(Feb 1, 1994):97-98.

Not reviewed.

________ and O. T. Ginawi, "Ambrein, the major constituent of
ambergris inhibits edema responses to carrageenin and
serotonin in the rat paw," Bull. Fac. Pharm.
31(1):113-15, 1993.

Ambrein, the major constituent of ambergris, reduced paw edema in rats induced by carrageenin or serotonin (5-HT), when, it was injected i.p. at 250 mg/kg/. This effect of ambrein was compared with some known antiinflammatory drugs such as hydrocortisone, acetyl-salicylic acid (aspirin) and indomethacin (doses were 40, 350 and 100 mg/kg, i.p. resp.). The results of this study proved, that ambrein possesses an antiinflammatory activity, which was less potent than that induced by the above antiinflammatory drugs in the carrageenin-induced edema, but was more potent or, at least, equal in potency, in the 5-HT-induced edema than those caused by the above antiinflammatory drugs. It is concluded that the antiinflammatory activity of ambrein may be due to inhibition of systemically released 5-HT and/or prostaglandins.

Tixier, R., "Sur quelques pigments tetrapyrroliques provenant d’animaux
marins," Mem. Mus. Nat. Hist. Nat. Ser. A Zool. 5(2):41-132.

Porphyrins were studied in ambergris. Ambroporphyrin reported earlier by Y. Okonara is really a mixture of protoporphyrin IX and mesoporphyrin IX. The beaks of squids damage the sperm whale gut which bleeds. Bacteria in the gut transform whale hemoglobin from the blood into these characteristic pigments of ambergris.

Urones J.G. et al., "Chemistry of labdanediol from Cistus
ladaniferus L. synthesis of 12-nor-ambreinolide
and alpha and beta-levantenolides," Tetrahedron
48(47):10389-10398 , 1992.

Labdanediol, the major component of the neutral part of Cistus ladaniferus L., was transformed into 12-nor-ambreinolide, precursor of ambrox (R), in three steps with an overall yield of 70%. Molecular modeling techniques have been used to determine the stereochemistry of the by-products of these reactions. The selenylation and elimination reactions of 2a and beta levantanolides, 2, were used to synthesize alpha and beta-levantenolides.

Urones J.G. et al., "Ambergris compounds from labdanolic acid,"
Tetrahedron 48(45):91-9998), 1992.

Labdanolic acid (Cistus ladaniferus) is transformed into derivatives with amber odor. The strategy used allowed a process in which the oxidative decarboxylation reaction was carried out with the hydroxyl group protected in ambergris-type woody odorants possessing a hydronaphthalene skeleton.

Weyerstahl, P., "Odor and structure.:" Journal für Praktische
Chemie Chemiker-Zeitung 336 (2):95-109, 1994

The relationship between molecular structure and aroma properties of odorants is reviewed with reference to: odour recognition by the olfactory system; changes in odour occurring with changes in structure; and structure-odour relationships of classes of odorants of interest to the fragrance and flavor industries (fatty aldehydes and related compounds, degraded carotenoids, O-heterocycles, patchouli, sandalwood, ambergris and steroids, musk).

Winter, Beatrice, "QSAR in olfaction: ambergris-type odorants," Prog.
Clin. Biol. Res. 291:401-5, 1989.

Not reviewed.

________, "Ring-opened analogues of Ambrox SUP (R):
Synthesis and structure-odour relationships," Helv.
Chim. Acta 72(6):1278-1283, 1989.

Not reviewed.

________, "Studies related to Ambergris-type odorants,"
Pure Appl. Chem. 62(7):1377-80, 1990

Not reviewed.

PREVIOUS: Dissertations NEXT: Patent Literature TOP: Title Page