MOLECULE

alpha-Copaene

Alpha-copaene is formally classified as a homocyclic organic compound although it is biochemically a sesquiterpenoid synthesized from isoprene units. Alpha-copaene is an oily liquid hydrocarbon that is found in a number of essential oil-producing plants and whose name is derived from the resin-producing tropical copaiba tree. Alpha-copaene was detected in the essential oils from the inner bark of the plant Kielmeyera coriacea Mart. & Zucc. (PMID: 25960759), the bark from Annona reticulate (PMID: 22007723) and was found in the leaves of Cedrelopsis grevei (PMID: 23459148), and Xylopia laevigata (PMID: 23307235). It is found in traces amount in cannabis plants (PMID: 6991645). Alpha-copaene is a colorless clear viscous liquid with a spicy and woody taste. It that can be found in several food items such as lime, mandarin orange (clementine, tangerine), safflower, and summer savoury, which makes alpha-copaene a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Copaene has been found to increase the antioxidant capacity in human lymphocytes in vitro (PMID: 24287609).