Terpineol

Colorless oily liquid with a lilac-like odor. Terpineol consists of a mixture of isomeric compounds of alpha-, beta- and gamma-terpineol and other hydroxmenthenes.

Terpine oils are found in essential oils from many plants, such as extracts of laurel, rosemary, anise, marjoram, sage or juniper. Terpineole are also found in turpentine.

The term "terpineol" is often used synonymously with alpha-terpineol.

Cosmetics: In cosmetic formulations the oily mixture (INCI name: terpineol) is used as denaturant and solvent (dissolves other substances).

1. Li L et al,(2015) Antibacterial activity of α-terpineol may induce morphostructural alterations in Escherichia coli. Braz J Microbiol. 45:1409-1413.
2. Nogueira MN et al (2014)Terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol (tea tree oil components) inhibit the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 on human macrophages. Inflamm Res 63:769-778.
3. Park SN et al (2012) Antimicrobial effect of linalool and α-terpineol against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria. Anaerobic. 18:369-372.