Terpene Tuesdays: Myrcene
Welcome to Terpene Tuesdays, a short introduction to a different terpene each week. First up: myrcene, also called beta-myrcene, a naturally occurring component of many plant essential oils.
Name and CAS number
Terpene: beta-Myrcene
CAS number: 123-35-3
Molecular formula: C10H16
A little chemistry
Myrcene is an acyclic monoterpene hydrocarbon: a ten-carbon molecule with an open-chain structure rather than a carbon ring. Its structure contains three carbon–carbon double bonds. Researchers also study it as a renewable starting material for making other chemical compounds.
Natural sources
Myrcene occurs in hops, bay leaf, and lemongrass. These are examples of plants in which it is found, not a statement about the origin of any particular commercial ingredient.
Flavor and aroma
PubChem compiles descriptions of myrcene's aroma as sweet and balsamic, and its taste as sweet and citrus-like. These descriptors describe the compound, not a finished product or a recommendation to taste concentrated terpenes.
Explore the research on PubMed
- Myrcene as a natural base chemical in sustainable chemistry: a critical review explores myrcene's chemistry and its potential as a renewable chemical feedstock.
- Myrcene—What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent? reviews occurrence, biological research, and toxicology. The authors note that human studies are lacking; the review does not establish health benefits for our products.
Chemical reference
PubChem: Myrcene provides identifiers, molecular structure, natural-source information, and reported sensory properties.
This article is educational and does not provide dosing, ingestion, or medical advice.