Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Lactones

Lactones are a group of natural organic compounds that have gained immense popularity in recent years due to their wide range of applications in various fields, such as food, perfume, and pharmaceuticals. They are cyclic esters that are typically formed by the condensation of a carboxylic acid with a hydroxyl group …

Curated from this journal's research 📚 2 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 6× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2377-2549 🗓 Reviewed June 2026

Overview

Lactones are a group of natural organic compounds that have gained immense popularity in recent years due to their wide range of applications in various fields, such as food, perfume, and pharmaceuticals. They are cyclic esters that are typically formed by the condensation of a carboxylic acid with a hydroxyl group that is present in the same molecule. Lactones are classified according to the number of carbon atoms in the ring, with the most common being gamma and delta lactones, which have five and six carbon atoms in their rings, respectively. Gamma-lactones are typically found in fruits and vegetables and are responsible for the fruity aroma and flavor. They are commonly used in the flavoring of baked goods, dairy products, and beverages such as beer and wine. Delta-lactones, on the other hand, have a sweet or nutty fragrance and are often used in the production of perfumes and other fragrances. Lactones also play an important role in medicinal chemistry due to their diverse biological activities. They have been found to exhibit antimicrobial, antitumor, and anticonvulsant properties, making them promising candidates for the development of new drugs. Additionally, several lactones have been identified as potent inhibitors of enzymes that are involved in cancer and other diseases. Overall, lactones have proven to be valuable compounds in various industries and have demonstrated significant potential as both natural flavors and biological agents. With the continued advancement in technology and research, it is likely that more innovative applications of lactones will emerge in the future.

Research published in this journal

2 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 2 articles above have been cited 6 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Lactones, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in New Developments in Chemistry (ISSN 2377-2549).

Journal editorial board
Annarita Del Gatto · Italy Bharat Gurale · United States Palani ELUMALAI · United Kingdom

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.