2. General information
Terpenes are unsaturated compounds
formed by joining together isoprene units.
Terpenes are components of a wide variety
of fruit and aromas.
Terpene derivatives are responsible for the
special aroma of spices.
3. Terpenes
The name ‘terpene’ is derived from
the Greek word ‘terebinth’.
Terebinth is a type of pine tree from
which terpene-containing resins are
obtained.
4. What are terpenes?
Natural organic compounds.
Components of a variety of fruit and
and aromas.
Used in perfumes, essential oils and
medicines.
5. Therapeutic Uses of terpenes
Antidepressant – Relieves symptoms of depression.
Antifungal – Inhibits the growth of fungus
Anti-Inflammatory – Reduces inflammation.
Gastro-esophageal Reflux – Reduces acid reflux.
Immune stimulant – Stimulates the immune system.
6. Spices contain terpenes
Terpenes in plants can be oxidized to
produce the compounds responsible for the
special aroma of spices.
Terpenes containing oxygen or other
functional groups are known as ‘terpenoids’.
Common spices containing terpenes
include cloves, cinnamon and ginger.
7. Terpenes are unsaturated
Terpenes are unsaturated compounds.
All terpenes are built up from units of
isoprene.
8. Building terpenes from isoprene
Isoprene units can be linked:
1- head to tail to form linear terpenes
2- in rings to form cyclic terpenes.
9. Isoprene: the main unit to
form terpene
C
CH3
CH2
CH
CH2
Head Tail
Isoprene
(2-methylbuta-1,3-diene)
=
One isoprene unit contains five carbon atoms
Isoprene is the common name for
2-methylbuta-1,3-diene
10. Types of terpenes
It’s could be monoterpenes or
cyclicterpenes or diterpenes
Terpenes can oxidised to a form
terpenoid
11. Myrcene – a linear terpene
• Myrcene is a component of plants, including bay,
and thyme.
Head TailHead Tail
C
CH3
CH3
CH
CH2
C
CH2
CH2
CH
CH2
Chemical formulaC10H16
uses perfumery
industry
12. Limonene – a cyclic terpene
CH2
CH2
C
CH
CH2
CH
C
CH2CH3
CH3
Limonene
(skin of citrus fruits)
Chemical formula C10H16
Uses in cosmetic
pro-ducts , in
food
manufacturing
13. Menthol – a cyclic terpenoid
CH2
CH
CH
CH2
CH
CH2
CH3
OH
CH
CH3CH3
Menthol
(peppermint)
This terpene has been
oxidised to a terpenoid
uses local
anesthetic,
relieve
throat
irritation
Chemical formulaC10H20O
14. Absinthe – a cyclic terpenoid
CH2
C
CH
CH
C
CH2
O
CH3
CH
CH3CH3
Thujone
(Absinthe)
This terpene has been
oxidised to a terpenoid
Chemical formula C10H16O
uses Perfumery,
Artemisia absinthium L.
15. Camphor – a cyclic
terpenoid
CH2
CH2
CH
C
C
C
CH2
O
CH3
CH3
CH3
Camphor
(Camphor tree)
Chemical formula C10H16O
Side effect
Uses anesthetic ,
antimicrobial
Camphor tree
16. α-Selinene – a cyclic terpene
3 isoprene units
15 carbon atoms
CH2
CH2
CH2
CH
C
CH2
CH3
C
C
C
CH2
CH2
CH2
CH2
CH3
H
α-Selinene
Chemical formula C15H24
Uses reduce blood
pressure
17. β-carotene – a linear terpene
8 isoprene units
40 carbon atoms
CH2
CH2
CH2
C
C
C
CH3CH3
CH
CH
C
CH
CH
CH
C
CH
CH
CH
CH
C
CH
CH
CH
C
CH
CH
C
C
CH2
CH2
CH2
C
CH3
CH3 CH3
CH3 CH3
CH3
CH3
CH3
β- c a r o t e n e
Chemical formula C40H56
Uses decrease asthma
symptoms,
prevent heart
disease
18. Side effects of terpenes
Terpenes have not any side effect
because it’s presence in plants & give
it’s the special aromatic odor
However , terpenes like any
compound else shouldn’t used
excessively because that reduce the
advantage of it .
19. Summary
Terpenes are unsaturated compounds
formed by joining together isoprene units.
Terpenes are components in a wide variety
of fruit and floral flavours and aromas.
Terpenes can be oxidised within plants to
produce the compounds responsible for the
distinctive aroma of spices.
