MOLECULE

alpha-Curcumene

Alpha-curcumene, or 2-methyl-6-p-tolyl-2-heptene, also known as ar-curcumene, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as sesquiterpenoids. These are terpenes that contain 15 carbon atoms and are comprised of three isoprene units. The biosynthesis of sesquiterpenes is known to occur mainly through the mevalonic acid pathway (MVA; PMID:17467679), in the cytoplasm. However, recent studies have found evidence of pathway crosstalk with the methyl-eritritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway in the cytosol (PMID: 23746261). Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of cyclic sesquiterpenes. FPP undergoes several cyclization reactions to yield a diverse number of cyclic arrangements. Alpha-curcumene is possibly neutral. It has an herbal ordor. Alpha-curcumene has been detected in anise and carrot seeds, ginger and turmeric rhizomes and rhizome oils, and black pepper fruit and seeds and oils ( http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1053941.html#touses). It is also a component of Cannabis sativa (PMID: 6991645).