Terpenes

By : mohammed kassim mohammed ghassanyahya abd_alkhaliqmostafa monqeth

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.

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.

What are terpenes?

Natural organic compounds.

Components of a variety of fruit and and aromas.

Used in perfumes, essential oils and medicines.

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.

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.

Terpenes are unsaturated

Terpenes are unsaturated compounds.

All terpenes are built up from units of isoprene.

Building terpenes from isoprene

Isoprene units can be linked:

1- head to tail to form linear terpenes

2- in rings to form cyclic terpenes.

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 for2-methylbuta-1,3-diene

Types of terpenes

It’s could be monoterpenes or cyclicterpenes or diterpenes

Terpenes can oxidised to a form terpenoid

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 formula

C10H16

uses  perfumery industry

Limonene – a cyclic terpene

CH2

CH2C

CH

CH2CH

CCH2CH3

CH3

Limonene

(skin of citrus fruits)

Chemical formula

C10H16

 

Uses  in cosmetic pro-ducts ,  in food manufacturing

Menthol – a cyclic terpenoid

CH2CH

CH

CH2CH

CH2

CH3

OH

CHCH3CH3

Menthol

(peppermint)

This terpene has been oxidised to a terpenoid

uses local anesthetic,relieve throat irritation

Chemical formula

C10H20O

Absinthe – a cyclic terpenoid

CH2C

CHCH

C

CH2

O

CH3

CHCH3CH3

Thujone

(Absinthe)

This terpene has been oxidised to a terpenoid

Chemical formula

C10H16O

uses Perfumery,

Artemisia absinthium L.

Camphor – a cyclic terpenoid

CH2

CH2

CH

C

CC

CH2

OCH3

CH3CH3

Camphor

(Camphor tree)

Chemical formula C10H16O

Side effect

Uses anesthetic , antimicrobial

Camphor tree

-Selinene – a cyclic terpene

3 isoprene units

15 carbon atoms

CH2

CH2CH2

CHC

CH2

CH3

C

CC

CH2

CH2CH2

CH2

CH3

H

-Selinene

Chemical formula C15H24

Uses reduce blood pressure

β-carotene – a linear terpene

8 isoprene units

40 carbon atoms

CH2

CH2CH2

C

CC

CH3CH3

CHCH

CCH

CHCH

CCH

CHCH

CHC

CHCH

CHC

CHCH

CC

CH2

CH2CH2

CCH3

CH3 CH3CH3 CH3

CH3CH3

CH3

-caro tene

Chemical formula C40H56

Uses decrease asthma symptoms, prevent heart disease

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 .

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.

Refrences http://theleafonline.com/c/science/2014/09/terpene-

profile-limonene/

https://www.medicaljane.com/category/cannabis-classroom/terpenes/#terpenes-in-cannabis

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/818675-overview

Done & Done