Sassafras

This week: safrole. Though found in small amounts in anise, cinnamon, and nutmeg, it's a major component of sassafras oil. It has a characteristic "candy shop" scent, is a synthetic precursor to MDMA, and is evidently banned from use in food by the FDA.

Figure 1: Sassafras albidum - the sassafras tree - oil from which contains safrole, an interesting plant chemical.

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Amorphophallus titanum and the essence of rotting fish

Have you heard of the corpse flower? Scientifically known as Amorphophallus titanum, the corpse flower gets its name because it generates a variety of malodorous compounds to attract animal pollinators. Among these is trimethylamine, or "essence of rotting fish" (Fig. 1), a biomarker used by fish freshness detectors.

An excellent short video here on these compounds and the ability of the corpse flower to generate heat!
The chemistry of the corpse flower's stink - Bytesize Science

Figure 1: The flowers of Amorphophallus titanum generate, among others, the smell compound trimethylamine, which smells like rotting fish.

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