propanal
Molecular structure
Cooking relevance
Propanal (PubChem CID 527) is a volatile aldehyde that can arise during food processing, particularly in oxidation reactions or thermal degradation of fats and proteins. Its presence is typically associated with off-flavors or rancidity in stored foods rather than desirable culinary characteristics. Detection of propanal may indicate lipid oxidation or microbial spoilage.
- aroma
- pungent · sharp · slightly fruity · oxidative off-note
- culinary role
- marker of oxidative degradation; not intentionally used as a flavoring agent
- mass spectra
- 9 experimental spectra
Mass spectrum
A real measured fragmentation pattern · 1 of 9 experimental spectra
Sensory signature
How this molecule tastes and smells · gold is measured, dashed is a model estimate
Receptor binding
Measured in literature · peer-reviewed · how this compound interacts with biological receptors
Biochemical reactions
Metabolic reactions from curated biochemical databases · peer-reviewed
4-hydroxyhexan-3-one = 2 propanal
propane-1,2-diol = propanal + H2O
propanal + NADP(+) + H2O = propanoate + NADPH + 2 H(+)
(S)-4-hydroxy-2-oxohexanoate = propanal + pyruvate
Research associations
Literature-derived · peer-reviewed sources only · not medical advice
Foods containing this compound
Verified Data
Compound identity and culinary context are continuously cross-referenced across open scientific databases and maintained by Foodgeist's enrichment pipeline.
The Geist can be wrong. Some flavor, taste, and pairing values are model-predicted, not lab-measured.




























