MOLECULE

piperitone oxide

Piperitone oxide is an oxidized derivative of Piperitone. It belongs to the class of organic compounds known cyclic monoterpenoids. Monoterpenoids are terpenes that contain 10 carbon atoms and are comprised of two isoprene units. The biosynthesis of monoterpenes is known to occur mainly through the methyl-erythritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway in plant cell plastids (PMID: 7640522). 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. Piperitone oxide exists as two isomers, cis-Piperitone oxide and trans-Piperitone oxide. It is a colorless to pale yellow clear liquid that is neutral, hydrophobic and essentially insoluble in water. Piperitone oxide can be found in cornmint, orange mint, peppermint, and spearmint, which makes piperitone oxide a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. It has also been detected in the essential oils of other mint species, such as apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) (PMID: 25985361). Piperitone oxide has also been detected in Cannabis sativa plants (PMID: 6991645). It is one of more than 140 terpenoids found in cannabis and the combination of these terpenoids produces the skunky, fruity odor characteristic of C. savita.