safrole

Also saf·rol

[saf-rohl]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless or faintly yellow liquid, C 1 0 H 1 0 O 2 , obtained from sassafras oil or the like: used chiefly in perfumery, for flavoring, and in the manufacture of soaps.

safrole

/ ˈsæfrəʊl /

noun

1. a colourless or yellowish oily water-insoluble liquid present in sassafras and camphor oils and used in soaps and perfumes. Formula: C 10 H 10 O 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of safrole¹

First recorded in 1865–70; (sas)safr(as) + -ole ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of safrole¹

C19: from ( _sas ) _safr ( _as ) + _-ole ¹

Example Sentences

Many of the root beers of today still taste like sassafras, however, from artificial sassafras flavoring or extracts without safrole.

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Note, however, that nutmeg is considered an intoxicant and is classified by some Muslim jurists as haram, as it’s laced with myristicin, which has hallucinogenic properties, and safrole, a chemical sometimes used in synthesizing the psychedelic MDMA.

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They are quick to caution: Safrole cannot be used in people, in part because it is toxic and carcinogenic.

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Chen is part the Stanford team, led by Daria Mochly-Rosen, which found that a chemical called safrole can recruit a completely different enzyme to the breakdown task, replacing the ineffective mutant.

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Adding safrole, however, is like stuffing the toe of this new enzyme shoe with paper.

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