Terpenes’ Role in Essential Oils
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Nermala Sewdat
College:
The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Major:
Chemistry
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Matthew Mongelli, Subhasish Chatterjee
Abstract:
Terpenes are hydrocarbons that are considered one of the largest groups of natural products found mainly in plants while some of the more complex ones are found in animals. They are classified as one of the most common volatile groups of compounds and are said to have evolved from isoprene. For this presentation, the extraction of terpene compounds such as monoterpenes (C_10), sesquiterpenes (C_15), diterpenes (C_20), and triterpenes (C_30) is discussed, and how these compounds are characterized using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. This research focuses on the terpene compounds found mainly in citrus oils such as orange, lemon, and lime. The composition of the different terpene compounds found in the three different citruses are compared, and similarities and differences will be identified. Part of the study will focus on how these different terpene compounds are extracted from their source and how scientists characterize and differentiate between the different terpene compounds using spectroscopy and chromatography. We have described the importance, uses, and applications of terpenes in industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and cosmetics. Spectroscopic techniques are used to investigate the molecular structure of molecules and unknown molecules in compounds. It is used to determine the chemical and molecular properties of unknown compounds. The chemical group of terpenes is interesting due to their broad application and the benefits they offer to many industries in the scientific field. The stability and solubility of terpenes are discussed in this research because these two properties play crucial roles in using and applying terpenes in products.