MOLECULE

Pinocarveol

Pinocarveol, also known as 2(10)-pinen-3-ol, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as bicyclic monoterpenoids. These are monoterpenoids containing 2 rings, fused to each other. Monoterpenoids are terpenes that contain 10 carbon atoms and are comprised of two isoprene units. Thus, pinocarveol is an isoprenoid lipid molecule. Pinocarveol is very hydrophobic, practically insoluble in water and relatively neutral. The biosynthesis of monoterpenes is known to occur mainly through the methyl-eritritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway in plant cell plastids (PMID: 23746261). Geranyl diphosphate (GPP) is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of cyclic monoterpenes. GPP undergoes several cyclization reactions to yield a diverse number of cyclic arrangements. Pinocarveol is a clear viscous liquid with a balsam, camphor, and herbal taste. Pinocarveol is found, in highest concentrations in hyssops and rosemaries and has been detected in spearmints, sweet bay, wild celeries and cannabis (PMID: 6991645).