Carvone

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

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

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

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

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.

See Also

• Terpenoid
• Caraway
• Spearmint
• FDA