Nootkatone |

Last updated: 24/08/2025
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(Also known as: (+)-nootkatone) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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A naturally occurring ketone effective as a public health insect repellent |
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Deer ticks; Lone star ticks; bed bugs; Headlice; Mosquitoes |
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Humans |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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No |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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Nootkatone exhibits stereoisomerism, specifically optical isomerism, due to its multiple chiral centres. The molecule exists as two enantiomers: (+)-nootkatone and (–)-nootkatone. |
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C₁₅H₂₂O |
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CC1CC(=O)C=C2C1(CC(CC2)C(=C)C)C |
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C[C@@H]1CC(=O)C=C2[C@]1(C[C@@H](CC2)C(=C)C)C |
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WTOYNNBCKUYIKC-JMSVASOKSA-N |
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InChI=1S/C15H22O/c1-10(2)12-5-6-13-8-14(16)7-11(3)15(13,4)9-12/h8,11-12H,1,5-7,9H2,2-4H3/t11-,12-,15+/m1/s1 |
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Yes |
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Insecticide; Semiochemical |
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Plant-derived substance; Ketone |
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- |
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- |
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Natural |
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Activates alpha-adrenergic type 1 octopamine receptor (PaOA1) in susceptible arthropods, causing fatal spasms. |
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Derived from grapefruits and other plants including the wood of the Alaskan yellow cedar (Cupressus nootkatensis) |
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Public health |
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Deer ticks; Lone star ticks; bed bugs; Headlice; Mosquitoes |
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Humans |
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- |
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4674-50-4 |
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225-124-4 |
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- |
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030806 |
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1268142 |
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218.34 |
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(4R,4aS,6R)-4,4a-Dimethyl-6-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-2(3H)-one |
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(4R,4aS,6R)-4,4a-dimethyl-6-prop-1-en-2-yl-3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-2-one |
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- |
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- |
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FEMA=3166; FLAVIS=7.089 |
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- |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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- |
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Colourless, crystalline soil when pure. Viscous orange liquid when impure. Substance has a strong fruity smell. |
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Current |
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2020, first registered |
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Usually formulated as a ready-to-use spray |
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Primarily produced by the oxidation of valencene, a substance found in citrus fruits |
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- |
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36.0 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source at 25 °C |
Moderate |
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36 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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170 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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100 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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6.92 X 1003 |
Calculated |
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3.84 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
High |
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0.968 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 3 = Negative |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
?Possibly, status not identified |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
?Possibly, status not identified |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
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May cause allergic skin reactions |
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No information available |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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nootkatone |
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Record last updated: |
24/08/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |