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Limonene. noun. lim·o·nene ˈlim-ə-ˌnēn. : a liquid terpene hydrocarbon C10H16 that has an odor like a lemon, exists in dextrorotatory, levorotatory, and racemic forms, and occurs in many essential oils compare dipentene.
Background:
Limonene was first discovered in 1754 by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who is widely considered the father of modern taxonomy. Linnaeus isolated limonene from the essential oil of the lemon fruit, which had been previously identified by the Italian botanist Andrea Cesalpino in the late 16th century.
What is Limonene?
Limonene is a cyclic terpene that is naturally found in the rind of citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, and other plants like peppermint, juniper, and rosemary. Limonene is commonly used in a variety of products like fragrances, cleaning agents, and insecticides due to its unique properties and benefits.
Chemical Composition:
Limonene has a chemical formula of C10H16 and is composed of two isomers, d-limonene and l-limonene. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a fresh, citrusy aroma and taste.
Aroma and Flavor:
Limonene is a terpene that is commonly found in citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruits. As a result, limonene has a distinct citrusy aroma and flavor that is often described as sweet and tangy, with notes of lemon or orange.
d-Limonene is a major component of the aromatic scents and resins characteristic of numerous coniferous and broadleaved trees: red and silver maple (Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum), cottonwoods (Populus angustifolia), aspens (Populus grandidentata, Populus tremuloides) sumac (Rhus glabra), spruce (Picea spp.), various pines (e.g., Pinus echinata, Pinus ponderosa), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), larches (Larix spp.), true firs (Abies spp.), hemlocks (Tsuga spp.), cannabis (Cannabis sativa spp.), cedars (Cedrus spp.), various Cupressaceae, and juniper bush (Juniperus spp.). It contributes to the characteristic odor of orange peel, orange juice and other citrus fruits. To optimize recovery of valued components from citrus peel waste, d-limonene is typically removed.
Benefits and Uses:
In addition to its citrusy aroma and flavor, limonene has been shown to have a variety of potential health benefits. Some studies suggest that limonene may have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties, and may also have potential as a treatment for anxiety and depression. Limonene is also used as a natural flavoring agent in many food and beverage products, as well as in perfumes, cleaning products, and other household items.
Limonene is also commonly used in a variety of household and industrial products. Some of its key uses include:
Cultivars (strains) With Limonene Dominance:
Cautions:
Limonene is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA and is considered safe for use in food and cosmetics. However, concentrated forms of Limonene can be irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, so it is important to use it in moderation and follow safety guidelines when handling concentrated forms of Limonene.
It is important to specify normal concentrations, as some terpenes can cause irritation, allergic reaction, nausea, headache, and/or acute toxic effects at very high doses - but these doses are much higher than you would ever consume in the course of using cannabis products.
Some terpenes can be dermal irritants, so their concentration in topical products needs to be carefully controlled. Guidance from organizations such as the International Fragrance Association shows that safe limits depend both on the type of product and the individual terpene.
The pharmacological hypothesis argues that aromatic compounds such as terpenes affect mood, physiology, and behavior because they interact with the nervous and/or endocrine systems (hormones).
Limonene is a colorless liquid aliphatic hydrocarbon classified as a cyclic monoterpene, and is the major component in the oil of citrus fruit peels. The d-isomer, occurring more commonly in nature as the fragrance of oranges, is a flavoring agent in food manufacturing. It is also used in chemical synthesis as a precursor to carvone and as a renewables-based solvent in cleaning products. The less common l-isomer has a piny, turpentine-like odor, and is found in the edible parts of such plants as caraway, dill, and bergamot orange plants.
Limonene takes its name from Italian limone ("lemon"). Limonene is a chiral molecule, and biological sources produce one enantiomer: the principal industrial source, citrus fruit, contains d-limonene ((+)-limonene), which is the (R)-enantiomer. Racemic limonene is known as dipentene.[5] d-Limonene is obtained commercially from citrus fruits through two primary methods: centrifugal separation or steam distillation.
Formula: C10H16
Molar mass: 136.238 g·mol−1
Appearance: Colorless liquid
Odor: Orange
PubChem CID:
22311 (R/S)
439250 (S)
Melting Point: < −10 °C (14 °F; 263 K)
Boiling Point: 176 °C (349 °F; 449 K)
Density: 0.8411 g/cm3
Solubility in water: Insoluble
Solubility:
Miscible with benzene, chloroform, ether, CS2, and oils
soluble in CCl4
Chiral rotation ([α]D): 87–102°
Refractive index (nD): 1.4727