2-Methylisoborneol
Encyclopedia
2-Methylisoborneol is an organic chemical with a strong odor
. It is a derivate of borneol
. Its odor detection threshold
is very low and it is one of the chemicals with major influence on the quality
of drinking water
. MIB is also a factor in cork taint
in winemaking
.
Some algae
, particularly blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) such as Anabaena
, produce MIB together with other odorous chemicals such as geosmin
. They give a musty or earthy odor that can be quite strong if an algal bloom
is present. Subsequent death of the cyanobacteria will also release MIB that is trapped in the cells. These chemicals can be smelled at very low levels, in the ppt range
, and are responsible for many "taste and odor" issues in drinking water
treatment and distribution. Cyanobacteria can also produce chemical toxins that have been a problem in drinking water in some cases.
Odor
An odor or odour is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds, generally at a very low concentration, that humans or other animals perceive by the sense of olfaction. Odors are also commonly called scents, which can refer to both pleasant and unpleasant odors...
. It is a derivate of borneol
Borneol
Borneol is a bicyclic organic compound and a terpene. The hydroxyl group in this compound is placed in an endo position.Borneol is easily oxidized to the ketone yielding camphor. One historical name for borneol is Borneo camphor which explains the name. Borneol can be synthesized by reduction of...
. Its odor detection threshold
Odor detection threshold
The odor detection threshold is the lowest concentration of a certain odor compound that is perceivable by the human sense of smell. The thresholds of a chemical compound is determined in part by its shape, polarity, partial charges and molecular mass...
is very low and it is one of the chemicals with major influence on the quality
Water quality
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which...
of drinking water
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
. MIB is also a factor in cork taint
Cork taint
Cork taint is a broad term referring to a wine fault characterized by a set of undesirable smells or tastes found in a bottle of wine, especially spoilage that can only be detected after bottling, aging and opening...
in winemaking
Winemaking
Winemaking, or vinification, is the production of wine, starting with selection of the grapes or other produce and ending with bottling the finished wine. Although most wine is made from grapes, it may also be made from other fruit or non-toxic plant material...
.
Some algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
, particularly blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) such as Anabaena
Anabaena
Anabaena is a genus of filamentous cyanobacteria that exists as plankton. It is known for its nitrogen fixing abilities, and they form symbiotic relationships with certain plants, such as the mosquito fern. They are one of four genera of cyanobacteria that produce neurotoxins, which are harmful to...
, produce MIB together with other odorous chemicals such as geosmin
Geosmin
Geosmin, which literally translates to "earth smell", is an organic compound with a distinct earthy flavour and aroma, and is responsible for the earthy taste of beets and a contributor to the strong scent that occurs in the air when rain falls after a dry spell of weather or when soil is...
. They give a musty or earthy odor that can be quite strong if an algal bloom
Algal bloom
An algal bloom is a rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in an aquatic system. Algal blooms may occur in freshwater as well as marine environments. Typically, only one or a small number of phytoplankton species are involved, and some blooms may be recognized by discoloration...
is present. Subsequent death of the cyanobacteria will also release MIB that is trapped in the cells. These chemicals can be smelled at very low levels, in the ppt range
Parts-per notation
In science and engineering, the parts-per notation is a set of pseudo units to describe small values of miscellaneous dimensionless quantities, e.g. mole fraction or mass fraction. Since these fractions are quantity-per-quantity measures, they are pure numbers with no associated units of measurement...
, and are responsible for many "taste and odor" issues in drinking water
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
treatment and distribution. Cyanobacteria can also produce chemical toxins that have been a problem in drinking water in some cases.