Felinine is an amino acid found in cat's urine. 3-Mercapto-3-methylbutan-1-ol (MMB) is a product of the degradation of felinine. MMB is a thiol and believed to be a cat pheromone found in cat's urine.
MMB is also found in Sauvignon blanc wines, which are gooseberry flavoured. Thiols contribute to the aroma of Sauvignon blanc wines.
Interesting, I think. We usually can't smell cat pheromones. We can smell the aroma of wine however.
No idea what more I can say about this except I am surprised ;) Follow up post on main site.
P.S. As MMB is a product of the degradation of felinine I am pushing the limits to say what I have said in the title! I should have said that there is the same chemical in Sauvignon blanc and a cat pheromone! Close ;)
ReplyDeleteCorrection! Cat urine contains the putative cat pheromone 3-mercapto-3-methylbutan-1-ol (MMB). So I am correct first time!
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