Terpenoids, also known as isoprenoids, are a large and diverse class of naturally occurring organic chemicals derived from five-carbon
isoprene units assembled in a variety of ways. Most are multicyclic structures with oxygen-containing functional groups.
They constitute one of the largest families of plant metabolites and are found in all classes of living things.
Terpenoids play several crucial roles in plants. They are involved in growth and development, and are important for plants'
interactions with their environment, such as attracting pollinators, deterring herbivores, and protecting against pathogens.
From a structural perspective, terpenoids are grouped according to the number of isoprene units in the molecule.
The different groups are listed below:
Monoterpenoids (C10, 2 isoprene units)
Sesquiterpenoids (C15, 3 isoprene units)
Diterpenoids (C20, 4 isoprene units)
Sesterterpenoids (C25, 5 isoprene units)
Triterpenoids (C30, 6 isoprene units)
Tetraterpenoids (C40, 8 isoprene units)
Polyterpenoids (larger structures, many isoprene units)
Many terpenoids have significant bioactive properties, making them of interest in medicine, nutrition, and other
fields of research. Some terpenoids have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, while others are important ingredients in
perfumes and cosmetics due to their aromatic properties. Some examples are provided below:
Monoterpenoids like menthol (from peppermint) and limonene (from citrus fruits)
are often used in cosmetics and food products for their fragrant properties.
Sesquiterpenes like artemisinin (from the sweet wormwood plant) are used as antimalarial drugs.
Diterpenes include compounds like taxol (from the Pacific yew tree), which is used in cancer therapy.
Triterpenoids include saponins, which have a range of bioactive
properties and are often found in traditional medicines, and steroids, which have roles in many biological processes in animals.
Carotenoids are tetraterpenoids that have key roles
in plant pigmentation and contribute to the health benefits of many fruits and vegetables.
Examples of some common terpenoids found in bark are provided below:
Pinene
- A monoterpene commonly found in the bark of pine trees that has a distinctive pine-like aroma.
There are two structural isomers of pinene found in nature: alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, with alpha-pinene being more prevalent.
Cedrol - A sesquiterpene alcohol found in the bark of cedar trees.
It has a distinctive woody, cedar-like aroma and is used in the perfume industry.
Camphor - A bicyclic monoterpene found in the bark of the camphor tree.
It has a strong, minty aroma and a cooling sensation. Camphor is used in medicinal products such as ointments and inhalants.
Taxol - A diterpene found in the bark of the Pacific Yew tree.
It has been found to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and is used as a chemotherapy drug.
Limonene - This is a monoterpene that is found in the bark of citrus trees.
Limonene has a strong, citrusy aroma and is used in a wide range of products from cleaning agents to cosmetics.
Betulin and Betulinic Acid
- These are triterpenoids found in the bark of the white birch tree. Both compounds have been studied for their potential
anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Click here to read about Celignis's
work with the extraction and purification of betulin.
Examples of some common terpenoids found in roots are provided below:
Artemisinin
- This sesquiterpenoid is found in the roots and leaves of the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua).
It is a powerful antimalarial compound and is used in the production of some of the most effective antimalarial drugs currently available.
Ginsenosides - These are a class of steroid glycosides, and triterpenoid saponins,
found in the roots of the ginseng plant. They have been studied for a wide range of potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory,
anticancer, and immune-modulating effects.
Astragalosides - These triterpenoid saponins are found in the roots of the
Astragalus plant. They have been studied for their potential immune-boosting and heart-protective effects.
Withanolides - These are a group of steroidal lactones which constitute
a major part of the ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera). They are known for their adaptogenic properties,
helping the body resist physical and chemical stresses.
Furanocoumarins - Found in the roots of many citrus plants, these
terpenoid derivatives have been studied for their potential antiviral and anticancer properties.
Paclitaxel (Taxol)
- This complex diterpenoid is originally derived from the bark, but it is now more commonly synthesized from
the precursors found in the roots of the yew tree. It is a powerful anti-cancer drug used in the treatment of a variety of cancers.
Examples of some terpenoids, other than carotenoids, found in
fruits and vegetables are listed below:
Limonene - This monoterpene is abundant in the peel of
citrus fruits (e.g. oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits) and is responsible for their characteristic citrusy aroma.
Thymol
- Thyme contains thymol, a monoterpene with antimicrobial properties.
Capsaicin - This terpenoid is the compound responsible for the spiciness of
chili peppers.
Mangiferin - This potent antioxidant is found in the peel, and leaves of mango.
Alpha-farnesene - One of the many terpenoids found in apples
that contribute to their aroma.
Humulene and Myrcene
- These are two terpenoids, among others, that are found in hops that contribute to the flavour of beer.
Allicin
- This is one of the sulphur-containing terpenoids in garlic that contributes to its strong aroma and flavour.
Linalool
- A terpenoid found in pineapple that contributes to its unique aroma, with pinene being another example.
Examples of some terpenoids found in seeds are provided:
Carotenoids -
This terpenoid provides the yellow, orange, and red colors found in many plants. Carotenoids are found in the seeds of many plants,
including corn and tomatoes.
Ginkgolides
- Found in the seeds of Ginkgo biloba and have been studied for their potential medicinal properties, including as anti-asthmatic and
anti-allergic agents.
Artemisinin - This is a sesquiterpene lactone (a type of terpenoid)
found in the seeds and leaves of Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood). It is used as an anti-malarial drug.
Sesquiterpene lactones -
Found in many plant seeds, sesquiterpene lactones are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects.
Some seeds of the Asteraceae family, such as sunflower seeds, contain these terpenoids.
Monoterpenes - Certain seeds, such as fennel and dill,
contain monoterpenes like limonene and carvone, which give these seeds their characteristic aromas.
Saponins
- Saponins, which are glycosylated terpenoids, are found in a variety of seeds including quinoa and fenugreek.
The extraction process, including the solvents and methods used, can influence the concentration and types of terpenoids present in the final extract.
It is often the case that a balance needs to be found between fully-extracting all terpenoids while also ensuring that the compounds that are
obtained are of a high quality and not degraded.
At Celignis we have extensive experience in the design and optimisation of extraction protocols for a wide variety of chemical constituents from
many different biomass types. If needed we can also work on processes to separate and purify the target compounds.
Click here to read more about Celignis's Bioprocess Development Services for the extraction of
chemicals from biomass.
€1.6m Funding Success for Celignis in 2024 CBE-JU Calls
We have secured funding for involvement in 4 collaborative research projects
We are delighted to announce that Celignis has been successful in 4 project proposals submitted for funding to the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) programme.
These projects will provide funding of 1.6m EUR to Celignis over the next few years and build upon the 3 projects (worth 1.5m EUR) we secured last year and the 4 previous CBE/BBI projects that Celignis participated in.
Details on the projects are provided below:
WoodVALOR - This RIA project concerns the valorisation of contaminated/post-consumer wood waste (WW) via: (i) thermal conversion to biochar; and (ii) fractionation followed by conversions to paints & coatings ingredients. Celignis is involved in the chemo-enzymatic fractionation of decontaminated wood (DW) to sequentially extract/purify lignin and hemicellulose, and in developing hemicellulose-based emulsifiers/stabilizers and binder monomers for industrial formulations. Additionally, Celignis is involved in metals/mineral recovery from decontamination wastewater using
New Publication from a Celignis Bioprocess Development Project
The article, available in "Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery" is entitled "Process development for efficient pectin extraction from tobacco residues and its characterisation"
We are please to announce the publication of a peer-reviewed scientific article based on some of the research outputs of a Bioprocess Development Service (BDS) project undertaken by Celignis.
The article, entitled "Process development for efficient pectin extraction from tobacco residues and its characterisation" details the results of experiments targeting the optimised extraction of pectin from the laminae of a number of different varieties of tobacco plants. These tobacco-derived pectins were found to have a medium molecular weight and low methoxy content and our findings indicated that this feedstock could be suitable for the production of pectin with dietary applications.
Meeting takes place at the coordinator's (ITA) headquarters in Zaragoza, SPAIN
Celignis personnel are today attending the kick-off meeting of the CBE-JU project MANUREFINERY at the facilities of the project's coordinator (ITA) in Zaragoza, Spain.
MANUREFINERY concerns the development of a small, decentralised, modular biorefinery concept for farms that converts manure and ammonia emissions into seven marketable bio-ingredients (animal-feed proteins, caproic acid, and fertiliser salts/ashes). The solution integrates fixed/mobile units across three valorisation lines (gas, liquid, solid) and a digital twin for optimisation and scale-up, targeting TRL6-7 validation on four EU demo farms.
Celignis has a number of key roles in the project, including:
- Comprehensive analysis of the feedstocks and products of the process.
Meeting takes place at the coordinator's (AIMPLAS) headquarters in Valencia, Spain
PROMOFER, is an Innovation Action project funded by the CBE-JU, under topic HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IA-03 (Improve Fermentation Processes (Including Downstream Purification) To Final Bio-Based Products).
This project started in June 2024 with Celignis, an SME partner and full industry BIC member, playing a pivotal role in the project. Our core activities include undertaking the pre-treatment and hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass at scaled-up (TRL7, 1 m3) volumes. The resulting sugars are then provided to other partners for downstream fermentations.
Today Celignis's CIO Lalitha is attending the kick-off meeting of the project, at coordinator AIMPLAS's headquarters in Valencia, Spain.
We're attending the kick-off meeting for BIONEER in Trondheim, Norway (SINTEF)
Lalitha is attending the kick-off meeting of our CBE-JU project BIONEER, located at the coordinator's (SINTEF) premises in Trondheim, Norway.
BIONEER has the title "Scaled-up Production of Next-Generation Carbohydrate-Derived Building Blocks to Enhance the Competitiveness of a Sustainable European Chemicals Industry". It is a 4-year Innovation Action project with 7.5m EUR of funding provided by the CBE-JU.
Celignis plays a key role in BIONEER, being responsible for the scaled-up (TRL7) production of platform chemicals.
Thanks for contacting us. One of our representatives will be in contact with you shortly regarding your inquiry. If you ever have any questions that require immediate assistance, please call us at +353 61 371 725.
Contact Us
Thanks for contacting us. One of our representatives will be in contact with you shortly regarding your inquiry. If you ever have any questions that require immediate assistance, please call us at 319-509-3350.
Contact Us
Somthing went wrong! Please call us at
319-509-3350
or send us a email at
info@celignis.us with your enquiry.
Contact Us
Please provide a valid email id.
News letter signup
Thanks for signing our newsletter.
Newsletter
Message
Newsletter signup
Our newsletter provides monthly updates on new types of biomass analyses and articles on the development of innovative bioprocesses.
Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.
NOTE : We use cookies to improve our website and to give you the best experience. If you continue using our website, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website.