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What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are compounds found in the essential oils of plants. They are chemical compounds produced by plants that affect the aroma and taste.
It has a unique aroma and bitterness, and has a relaxing effect and a blood pressure lowering effect. The refreshing scent of lemon and orange is also produced by terpenes, and is used in perfumes and aromatherapy.
Cannabis plants produce over 200 types of terpenes, of which only a few dozen are produced in large quantities.
Terpenes are known to create a synergistic effect called the “entourage effect” when taken together with other cannabinols (CBD, CBN, etc.), so checking for the presence or absence of terpenes is an important point to consider when purchasing CBD products.
What are the characteristics of terpenes?
Terpenes are composed of isoprene units (C5) and, depending on the number of isoprene units, are called monoterpenes (C10), sesquiterpenes (C15), diterpenes (C20), sesterterpenes (C25), triterpenes (C30), and tetraterpenes (C40).
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name |
Main features |
Main terpene types and uses |
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Monoterpenes |
Terpene generally refers to monoterpene, which is a combination of two isoprene units. It is an aromatic compound that has a rose or citrus scent. |
These include geraniol, menthol, pinene, limonene, and camphor. Limonene is a component found in citrus fruits. It is also used as an adhesive ingredient. Menthol has a refreshing fragrance and is used as a cooling agent in sweets and medicines. Pinene provides the forest bathing effect. Cineole has a clean scent and taste, so it is used as a food additive, fragrance, and cosmetics. |
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Sesquiterpenes |
It is made up of three isoprene units bonded together. There are over 3,000 types, but only about 20 types are important as fragrances. |
These include elemene, casinol, cadinene, farnesol, nerolidol, clove, and santonin. |
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Diterpenes |
It is made up of four isoprene molecules bonded together. |
These include geraniol, phytol, abietic acid, and taxol. |
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Sesterterpenes (C25) |
It is made up of five isoprene molecules bonded together. It is found mainly in plants such as fungi and lichens, and animals such as insects. |
Geranyl farnesol, etc. |
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Triterpenes (C30) |
Approximately 100 species have been identified and distributed throughout the plant kingdom. It has been found to have physiological activity as a component contained in mushrooms and ginseng. |
These include squalene, limonin, ursolic acid, squalene, hopane, and betulinic acid (betulinic acid). |
Notes
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