Compound Monograph
Carvone
Carvone is a monoterpene ketone whose two mirror-image forms smell of spearmint and of caraway respectively.
Classification
Carvone is a monoterpene ketone, part of the terpenoids class. The largest class of plant compounds, built from five-carbon isoprene units — the essential-oil aromatics, resins, bitter principles, saponins, and plant sterols.
Where Does It Come From? (4)
Carvone is a naturally occurring monoterpene ketone, found in Spearmint, Caraway, Dill and 1 other source. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Research & Evidence
Carvone is a monoterpene ketone that exists as two enantiomers with strikingly different smells: (R)-carvone smells of spearmint and (S)-carvone of caraway and dill. It is the principal aroma compound of spearmint and caraway oils and is used widely as a flavour and fragrance ingredient. It is a classic textbook example of how molecular handedness can affect odour perception.
Toxicity & Safety
Carvone is used in foods and flavourings and is generally considered safe at the small amounts encountered in the diet. As with most concentrated essential-oil components, the pure compound can be irritating in high concentrations. A detailed isolated-compound safety profile in humans is limited.