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What Are Terpenes?
From the intense smell of an orange the moment you pierce its skin to the pungent flavor of a basil leaf or the magnificent aroma wafting from a lavender bush, terpenes are the organic compounds pivotal to the flavors and smells that make up our natural world.
The Essences of Flavor & Aroma
At their core, terpenes are organic compounds found within a plant’s resin glands (trichomes) and throughout many other wild plants, responsible for the flavor and smell profiles. Terpenes themselves are a naturally occurring combination of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
From a biological perspective, terpenes are secondary metabolites, meaning they are not directly involved in the normal growth, development, or reproduction of the plant. Instead, they are produced to attract certain insects and animals for pollination or defend against consumption by pests and herbivores.
Remarkably, there are more than 50,000 unique terpenes identified to date, and many of them we experience daily. In certain flowers, there are around 140 different terpenes that play a vital role in the aroma profiles and effects, which vary widely by variety of flower. Importantly, these terpenes naturally occur in many different plants and are not exclusive to one species alone.
Terpenes are organic compounds found within a plant’s resin glands (trichomes) and throughout many other wild plants, ultimately responsible for the flavor and smell profiles.
Terpenes Versus Terpenoids: What is the Difference?
Though the words terpene and terpenoid are commonly substituted for one another, there is a noteworthy difference between the two. Unlike terpenes which are the naturally occurring compounds produced in a botanical plant’s trichomes, terpenoids represent an alteration of terpenes that unfolds due to naturally occurring chemical processes.
Just like exposure to oxygen can cause food to spoil, terpenoids are the byproduct of curing or drying that impacts the oxygen content of terpenes, accounting for their difference.
Terpenoids represent an alteration of terpenes that unfolds due to naturally occurring chemical processes.
Focused Impact & Potent Influence
On their own, terpenes deliver proven therapeutic properties that are very potent. However, thanks to the “Entourage Effect,” which describes the enhanced efficacy of compounds when they interact, terpenes play a vital role in delivering botanical medicinal impact and quality of life enhancements.
Certain plants are known to contain immense amounts of terpenes, with about 140 of these compounds identified in studies. While other active compounds are often highlighted, terpenes play an integral role in the overall effect and benefits of these botanical compounds.
The plant is known to contain immense amounts of terpenes, with about 140 of these compounds identified in studies of the plant.
Terpenes’ Sensitive and Volatile Properties
Terpenes are highly volatile molecules, meaning they can easily evaporate. Although their average boiling point is around 130 degrees Celsius, terpenes begin evaporating at around 65 degrees Celsius.
On a molecular level, terpenes contain 10 carbon units. By comparison, monoterpenes are comprised of 10 carbon units and are the most volatile form of these types of compounds. Sesquiterpenes (the sesqui prefix translates to 1.5) contain 15 carbon units while diterpenes (the di prefix translates to 2) have 20 carbon units, positioning the latter as the heaviest types of terpenes.
Terpenes are lipophilic, meaning they are “lipid lovers” and hydrophobic “water haters” which therefore do not mix well with water. Additionally, terpenes are extremely sensitive to light and oxygen, potentially resulting in damage to the compounds when they are not stored properly. Despite their exceedingly complex and delicate nature, terpenes are still incredibly influential molecules contained within the hemp plant.
Despite their exceedingly complex and delicate nature, terpenes are still incredibly influential molecules contained within botanical plants.
Terpenes’ Unique Role
Between the powerful sensation that arises from fragrances to their attractive and defensive properties and potent interactions with other natural compounds, terpenes play a versatile, vibrant, and dynamic role. Thanks to their unique functionality, terpenes represent one of the most important building blocks for supporting plant myriad quality-of-life benefits.
Thanks to their unique functionality, terpenes represent one of the most important building blocks for supporting plant myriad quality-of-life benefits.