beta-Phellandrene

beta-Phellandrene is extracted mainly from the essential oil of Water fennel and Canada balsam oil. It is also present in the essential oils of Angelica, Eucalyptus, Pinus species, Lavandula, Mentha, Curcuma Longa,Garlic (Allium Sativum), Ginger, etc.

Beta-phellandrene is a monocyclic monoterpene with the chemical formula C10H16. It is also identified by various other names such as cyclohexene, 2-p-Menthadiene, and beta-phellandren and so on.

Attributes of beta-Phellandrene:

It is a colourless to slightly yellow clear liquid with a pleasant aroma. It owns pepper-minty and slightly citrusy aroma. It possess burning taste. It is not soluble in water but it mixes well with ether.

Because of its minty aroma, it is used as a flavouring ingredient. It is also used as perfuming agents.

Antimicrobial and antifungal activities:

Beta-phellandrene is reported to exhibit antifungal and antibacterial activities. It is evident from thestudy“Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils Isolated from Aerial Parts of PrangosasperulaBoiss. (Apiaceae) Growing Wild in Lebanon”. In the study, it was stated that nerolidol, sabinene and beta-phellandrene was reported to possess antibacterial and antifungal activity.

In the study titled “Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil from Wedelia prostrata” it was stated that beta-phellandrene present in the essential oil of the flower buds of Wedelia trilobata is one of the constituent that contributes to the antimicrobial activity of the oil.

In the study “Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of peels’ essential oils of different pomelo varieties in the south of Vietnam”it is stated that the higher amounts of alpha- pinene, gamma terpinene beta phellandrene and alpha phellandrene present in the essential oil of pomelo’s varieties, namely NamRoi in VinhLong and BuoiLong in DongThap contribute to the antibacterial activities of the essential oils.

Reference Links:

  1. Phellandrene by Wikipedia
  2. Beta-phellandrene by PubChem
  3. Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of peels’ essential oils of different pomelo varieties in the south of Vietnam