Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Natural Monoterpenes: Much More than Only a Scent
Karolina A Wojtunik-Kulesza1, Kamila Kasprzak1, Tomasz Oniszczuk2
1Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 4 A. Chodźki Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland.
Abstract:
Terpenes are a widespread group of secondary metabolites that can be found in various family plants such as the Lamiaceae. In view of their numerous valuable biological activities, the industrial production of concrete terpenes and essential oils rich in the substances is intensively studied. Monoterpenes constitute a significant part of the whole group of the aforementioned secondary metabolites. This is due to their numerous biological activities and their ability to permeate the skin. Despite the fact that these substances have gain popularity, they are not comprehensively characterized. The presented review is based on studies of the biological activities of the most important monoterpenes and the essential oils rich in these compounds. The authors focused attention on antioxidant activity, inhibition towards acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase, and α-amylase and α-glucosidase, antifungal, hepatoprotective, sedative properties, and their skin permeation enhancement.
Related Concept Videos
Aromatic Compounds: Overview
In 1825, Faraday isolated...
Olfaction
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
Nomenclature of Aromatic Compounds with a Single Substituent
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Anions: Structural Overview
Due to the absence of continuous...
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway
The olfactory...
Organic Compounds

