The term terpenes originate from turpentine (lat. balsamum terebinthinae). Turpentine contains the "resin acids" and some hydrocarbons, which were originally referred to as terpenes.
The side chains of Vitamin A, E, K, squalene (unsaturated hydrocarbon found in shark, humans) are all constituents of terpenes.
By definition terpenes are volatile, unsaturated aromatic hydrocarbons found in all living organisms and essential oils of plants.
Terpenes can be found in most plants and foods. Myrcene is found in mango, bay leaves and lemongrass; limonene is found in peppermint, rosemary and fruit rinds.
Many plants produce volatile terpenes in order to attract specific insects for pollination or otherwise to expel certain animals using these plants as food. Less volatile but strongly bitter-tasting or toxic terpenes also protect some plants from being eaten by animals.
Many flavorings and nice fragrances are consisting on terpenes because of its nice aroma. Terpenes and its derivatives are used as antimalarial drugs such as artemisinin and related compounds.
Derived lipid: Terpenes
