Acetaldehyde (systematic name
ethanal) is an
organic chemical compound with the
formula CH3CHO, sometimes abbreviated by chemists as MeCHO (Me =
methyl). It is one of the most important
aldehydes, occurring widely in nature and being produced on a large scale in industry. Acetaldehyde occurs naturally in coffee, bread, and ripe fruit, and is produced by plants. It is also produced by the partial oxidation of
ethanol by the liver enzyme
alcohol dehydrogenase and may be a contributing factor to
hangovers from alcohol consumption. Pathways of exposure include air, water, land, or groundwater, as well as drink and smoke. Consumption of
disulfiram inhibits
acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of acetaldehyde, thereby causing it to build up in the body.