描述
Pulegone, also known as (+)-(R)-pulegone or (1r)-(+)-P-menth-4(8)-en-3-one, is a member of the class of compounds known as menthane monoterpenoids. Menthane monoterpenoids are monoterpenoids with a structure based on the o-, m-, or p-menthane backbone. P-menthane consists of the cyclohexane ring with a methyl group and a (2-methyl)-propyl group at the 1 and 4 ring position, respectively. The o- and m- menthanes are much rarer, and presumably arise by alkyl migration of p-menthanes. Thus, pulegone is considered to be an isoprenoid lipid molecule. Pulegone is slightly soluble (in water) and an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). Pulegone can be found in a number of food items such as globe artichoke, sacred lotus, garden onion, and rubus (blackberry, raspberry), which makes pulegone a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Pulegone can be found primarily in saliva. Pulegone is a naturally occurring organic compound obtained from the essential oils of a variety of plants such as Nepeta cataria (catnip), Mentha piperita, and pennyroyal. It is classified as a monoterpene .