MOLECULE

Citronellol

Citronellol is formally classified as alkylalcohol although it is biochemically a monoterpenoid as it is synthesized from isoprene units. Citronellol is a neutral compound. It is a naturally occurring organic compound found in cannabis plants (PMID: 6991645). Citronellol occurs in many essential oils as either – or + enantiomers. -Citronellol is found in the oils of rose (18-55%) and Pelargonium geraniums while + citronellol is found in citronella oils extracted from the leaves and stems of Cymbopogon nardus or citronella grass. Citronellol has a citrus, floral, and geranium taste with a floral leathery waxy rose citrus odor ( http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1007032.html#tophyp). It is used in perfumery to add scents to soaps and incense. It is an insect repellent that repels mosquitos at short distances (PMID: 2862274). Citronellol is found in highest concentrations in gingers, sweet basils, and winter savories and in lower concentrations in highbush blueberries, bilberries, and cardamoms. Citronellol has also been detected in blackcurrants, fennels, evergreen blackberries, herbs and spices, and nutmegs making citronellol a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. Citronellol has promising pharmacological activities (PMID: 30453001) against human lung cancer (PMID: 31280209), against induced rat breast cancer (PMID: 31313341), has antifungal activity against Candida species (PMID: 32150884) and has anti-hypertensive properties (PMID: 26872991).