Carvacrol

Chemical properties

liquid

Chemical properties

Carvacrol has a characteristic pungent, warm odor. The commercial product consists of a mixture of isomers differing because of the position of the isopropyl radical. The odor characteristics differ between the technical (lower grade) and pure (higher grade) commercial products.

Occurrence

Reported found in cumin seed, thyme, oregano, calamus, lovage, myrtle and lemon balm.

The Uses of Carvacrol

Carvacrol is a flavoring agent that is a colorless to pale yellow liquid. it has a spicy and pungent odor, resembling thymol. it is insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol and ether. it is a mixture of the isomeric carvacrols (isopropyl o-creols), and is obtained by chemical synthesis. it is also an ingredient of savory, a fragrant herb in nature.

The Uses of Carvacrol

As disinfectant; in organic syntheses.

The Uses of Carvacrol

Reference Standard in the analysis of herbal medicinal products

Definition

ChEBI: A phenol that is a natural monoterpene derivative of cymene. An inhibitor of bacterial growth, it is used as a food additive. Potent activator of the human ion channels transient receptor potential V3 (TRPV3) and A1 (TRPA1).

Preparation

From p-cymene by sulfonation and subsequent alkali fusion.

Aroma threshold values

Detection at 2.29 ppm.

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 5.0 ppm: spicy, herbal phenolic, medicinal and woody.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Tetrahedron Letters, 19, p. 2545, 1978 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(01)94822-1

General Description

Produced and qualified by HWI pharma services GmbH.
Exact content by quantitative NMR can be found on the certificate.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion, intravenous, and subcutaneous routes. Moderately toxic by skin contact. A severe skin irritant. Combustible liquid. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.