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Which plant substances contain menthol, citral, camphor, limonene, or alpha-pinene?
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Isoprenoid
Camphor, an isoprenoid compound classified as a terpenoid ketone, is used in incense and certain medicinal compounds. It is a natural substance obtained from the camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora), a species of evergreen.
These chemical compounds are isoprenoids commonly found in the essential oils of various plants. Their primary natural sources include:
- Menthol: Primarily obtained from the oil of peppermint (Mentha ×piperita).12
- Citral: Found in lemongrass oil, as well as the oils of verbena and citronella.13
- Camphor: Occurs in the camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora).4
- Limonene: A major component of orange and lemon oils, as well as caraway oil. It is also present in the needles and cones of pine trees.15
- Alpha-pinene: The most abundant monoterpene, it is a major component of turpentine derived from pine trees and stumps.16