MOLECULE

(+)-nerolidol

Nerolidol also known as peruviol, 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), in the cytosol. However, recent studies have found evidence of pathway crosstalk with the methyl-eritritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway in the plastid (PMID: 19932496, 17710406). 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. Nerolidol is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol found in the essential oils of many types of plants and flowers. It is present in neroli, ginger, jasmine, lavender, tea tree, and lemon grass, and is a dominant scent compound in Brassavola nodosa. Nerolidol has also been reported as one of the volatile components detected in cannabis samples (PMID: 26657499). The aroma of nerolidol is woody and reminiscent of fresh bark. It is used as a flavoring agent and in perfumery. It is also used in non-cosmetic products such as detergents and cleansers (PMID: 27136520). Currently it is also under testing as a skin penetration enhancer for the transdermal delivery of therapeutic drugs (https://doi.org/10.1016/S0939-6411(01)00166-7). Additionally, it is known for various biological activities include antioxidant, anti-fungal, anticancer, and antimicrobial activity (PMID: 27136520).