Carvone
Carvone is a member of the terpenoid family, which is a class of naturally occurring organic chemicals. It is a monoterpene and is found in many essential oils, most notably in caraway and spearmint oils. Carvone is a chiral molecule and thus exists in two enantiomers: R-(+)-carvone and S-(-)-carvone.
Chemical Properties[edit]
Carvone is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic odor of spearmint. It is slightly soluble in water but highly soluble in common organic solvents. It is a monoterpene and is classified as a ketone. The two enantiomers of carvone have different odors: R-(+)-carvone smells like spearmint while S-(-)-carvone smells like caraway.
Natural Occurrence[edit]
Carvone is found in a number of essential oils, but most commonly in the oil of caraway and spearmint. The R-(+)-carvone isomer is the principal constituent of caraway oil, while S-(-)-carvone is the main component of spearmint oil.
Uses[edit]
Carvone has a wide range of uses. It is used in the food and beverage industry as a flavoring agent. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry for its antimicrobial properties. In addition, carvone is used in the perfume industry for its pleasant odor.
Health Effects[edit]
Carvone is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. However, it can cause skin irritation in some individuals. Ingestion of large amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset.
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