(2e)-2-ethylidene-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2h)-furanone is soluble (in water) and a very weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa). (2e)-2-ethylidene-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2h)-furanone can be found in a number of food items such as green vegetables, black cabbage, mammee apple, and mamey sapote, which makes (2e)-2-ethylidene-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2h)-furanone a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products.