Pulegone is a naturally occurring

organic compound Some chemical authorities define an organic compound as a chemical compound that contains a carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond; others consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. For example, carbon-co ...

obtained from the

essential oil An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the ...

s of a variety of plants such as ''

Nepeta cataria ''Nepeta cataria'', commonly known as catnip and catmint, is a species of the genus ''Nepeta'' in the mint family, native plant, native to southern and eastern Europe, northern parts of the Middle East, and Central Asia. It is widely naturalis ...

'' (

catnip ''Nepeta cataria'', commonly known as catnip and catmint, is a species of the genus ''Nepeta'' in the mint family, native plant, native to southern and eastern Europe, northern parts of the Middle East, and Central Asia. It is widely naturalis ...

), ''

Mentha piperita Peppermint (''Mentha'' × ''piperita'') is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world.Euro+Med Plantba ...

'', and pennyroyal. It is classified as a

monoterpenoid Monoterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of two isoprene units and have the molecular formula C10H16. Monoterpenes may be linear (acyclic) or contain rings (monocyclic and bicyclic). Modified terpenes, such as those containing oxygen funct ...

, which means that it is an oxidized derivative of a terpene, a large class of naturally occurring C₁₀ hydrocarbons. Pulegone is a colorless oil with a pleasant odor similar to pennyroyal,

peppermint Peppermint (''Mentha'' × ''piperita'') is a Hybrid (biology), hybrid species of Mentha, mint, a cross between Mentha aquatica, watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in m ...

, and

camphor Camphor () is a waxy, colorless solid with a strong aroma. It is classified as a terpenoid and a cyclic ketone. It is found in the wood of the camphor laurel (''Cinnamomum camphora''), a large evergreen tree found in East Asia; and in the kapu ...

. It is used in flavoring agents, in

perfumery Perfume (, ) is a mixture of fragrance, fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds (fragrances), Fixative (perfumery), fixatives and solvents, usually in liquid form, used to give the human body, animals, food, objects, and living-spaces an agre ...

, and in

aromatherapy Aromatherapy is a practice based on the use of aromatic materials, including essential oils and other aroma compounds, with claims for improving psychological well-being. It is used as a complementary therapy or as a form of alternative medic ...

Isolation and some uses

Pulegone comprises 75% of the oil pressed from pennyroyal, which is cultivated for that purpose.

Hydrogenation Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen (H2) and another compound or element, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as nickel, palladium or platinum. The process is commonly employed to redox, reduce or Saturated ...

of pulegone gives

menthone Menthone is a chemical compound of the monoterpene class of naturally occurring organic compounds found in a number of essential oils, one that presents with minty flavor. It is a specific pair of stereoisomers of the four possible such isomers ...

. Pulegone is also a precursor to menthofuran, another flavorant.

Toxicology

It was reported that the chemical is toxic to rats if a large quantity is consumed. Pulegone is also an insecticide − the most powerful of three insecticides naturally occurring in many mint species. As of October 2018, the

FDA The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food ...

withdrew authorization for the use of pulegone as a synthetic flavoring substance for use in food, but that naturally-occurring pulegone can continue to be used.

Sources

* Creeping charlie * ''

Mentha longifolia {{Speciesbox , image = Mentha longifolia 2005.08.02 09.53.56.jpg , genus = Mentha , species = longifolia , authority = ( L.) Huds. , synonyms = {{hidden begin, title = List *''Mentha acroceraia'' {{small, (Topitz) Trautm. *''Mentha acumin ...

'' * ''

Mentha suaveolens ''Mentha suaveolens'', the apple mint, pineapple mint, woolly mint or round-leafed mint (Synonym (taxonomy), synonyms ''M. rotundifolia'', ''Mentha macrostachya'', ''Mentha insularis''), is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae. It is native t ...

'' * Pennyroyal *

Peppermint Peppermint (''Mentha'' × ''piperita'') is a Hybrid (biology), hybrid species of Mentha, mint, a cross between Mentha aquatica, watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in m ...

* '' Schizonepeta tenuifolia'' * ''

Bursera graveolens ''Bursera graveolens'', known in Spanish as palo santo ('sacred wood'), is a wild tree native to the Yucatán Peninsula and also found in Peru and Venezuela. ''Bursera'' ''graveolens'' is found in the seasonally dry tropical forests of Peru, Ve ...

References

{{Terpenoids Ketones Flavors Cooling flavors Perfume ingredients Monoterpenes IARC Group 2B carcinogens

Isolation and some uses

Toxicology

Sources

See also

References