Essential Oil Chemistry in Aromatic Plants
Summary
Essential oils represent complex mixtures of volatile secondary metabolites, predominantly terpenoids, synthesised by specialised structures in aromatic plants. Their chemical composition is shaped by genetic, environmental and developmental factors, giving rise to distinct chemotypes within and between species. Modern analytical techniques such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry enable detailed profiling of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and phenylpropanoids. These constituents confer diverse bioactivities—from antimicrobial and antioxidant to anti-inflammatory effects—and perform ecological functions in plant defence, pollinator attraction and allelopathy. The global market for essential oils spans perfumery, flavouring, pharmaceuticals and phytocosmetics, underpinned by ongoing research into sustainable cultivation, extraction methods and formulation strategies. Advances in metabolic engineering and biotechnological approaches promise to enhance yield and tailor chemical profiles, supporting both fundamental phytochemical studies and practical applications for health and well-being.
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Essential Oil Chemistry in Aromatic Plants publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in essential oil chemistry in aromatic plants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Essential oil: mixture of volatile secondary metabolites extracted from plant tissues.
Terpenoid: class of organic compounds derived from isoprene units, including monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.
Chemotype: plant variant defined by its predominant essential oil constituents.
Secondary metabolite: compound not directly involved in primary growth but serving defence or signalling roles.
Pickering emulsion: emulsion stabilised by solid particles rather than conventional surfactants, enhancing droplet stability.
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS): analytical method combining separation and mass-based identification of chemical components.
References
- Characterization of essential oil profiles, triterpenic acids, and biological assay in aerial parts of various Thymus persicus Jalas (Ronniger ex Rech.f.) populations. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture (2023).
- Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.): a review of the current evidence of nutritional and preventive health benefits*. Frontiers in Nutrition (2024).
- Enhancing Antimicrobial Activity of Thyme Essential Oil Through Cellulose Nano Crystals-Stabilized Pickering Emulsions. Foods (2024).
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