1.
Terpenes
By : mohammed kassim
mohammed ghassan
yahya abd_alkhaliq
mostafa monqeth

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.

20.
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

21.
Done & Done 