Ultimate List of Terpenes

Discover the aromas, flavors, and sources of some of the most common isolates in our Ultimate List of Terpenes.

There are a LOT of terpene isolates. We’re talking about hundreds and hundreds of them! Our scientists study them endlessly, and just when we think we’ve learned it all, we discover something else. Sometimes, our specialized equipment finds previously undetected terpenes in our samples; sometimes, we discover entirely new terpenes!

Whatever the case, we’re obsessed with these special little hydrocarbons. They help plants repel predators, attract pollinators, influence cloud seeding, and more. You’re probably more familiar with how they contribute to the aromas, flavors, and some of the sensorial effects in many plants. 

There are just SO MANY terpenes that it’s hard to keep track of them. That’s why we thought it was high time we put together an Ultimate List of Terpenes. Read on for a breakdown of different terpene isolates, their aromas, sources, and discover strains and terpene blends dominant in them!

Alpha-Bisabolol Terpene Isolate

If you’re a fan of chamomile tea, you’ll love this isolate. Alpha-Bisabolol can be found in plants like German Chamomile or certain types of shrubs. Its taste and aroma are slightly woody, floral, and a bit on the earthy side. Due to both its pleasant aroma and long list of properties, α-bisabolol is often used in personal care products like cosmetics, fragrances, skincare, and more.

Alpha-Caryophyllene Terpene Isolate

Also known as humulene, alpha-Caryophyllene is one of the main contributors to the flavor and aroma of beer. That’s because it’s found plentifully in the hops plant (also in sage, ginseng, coriander, etc.). As such, α-Caryophyllene has a distinctly woody and piney flavor. It’s also a sesquiterpene similar to ß-Caryophyllene and can also bind with some of the same ECS receptors..

Alpha-Phellandrene Terpene Isolate

This isolate is found in a surprisingly large number of plants (turmeric, eucalyptus, dill, garlic, cinnamon, parsley, etc.). However, if you were to try and guess its flavor and aroma from that list, you might be surprised. On its own, α-Phellandrene has a mild, green citrusy smell with a hint of mint, wood, and pepper. Interestingly, plants with this isolate have been used for centuries in traditional healing practices.

Alpha-Pinene Terpene Isolate

Do you feel sharper and refreshed after a walk in the woods? Part of that feeling probably comes from all the α-Pinene found in conifer trees! It’s also found in rosemary, eucalyptus, and orange peel. Not surprisingly, its scent is herbal and woody with a slight cooling camphoraceous effect. 

Alpha-Terpinene Terpene Isolate

Also found in conifers, marjoram, cardamom, and rosemary,α -Terpinene has a fresh and herbal aroma with hints of balsam. You’ll likely also notice a certain spicy, citrusy element to its flavor, but that’s not surprising considering its aromatic sources.

Alpha-Terpineol Terpene Isolate

It might sound similar to our previous isolate, but its differences are important. Found in cajeput, pine, bitter orange trees, and myrtaceous trees, α-Terpineol is commonly used in perfumes, deodorants, and household cleaners. This is partially because of its scent (flowers, limes, and a hint of pine) and its innate properties. 

Beta-Caryophyllene Terpene Isolate

This spicy isolate can be found in black caraway, cloves, hops, lavender, basil, oregano, black pepper, and even rosemary. While those plants all have distinct flavors and aromas, on its own, β-Caryophyllene is spicy, woody, and subtly sweet. ß-caryophyllene is particularly powerful because it acts as a dietary cannabinoid and readily binds to CB2 receptors.

Beta-Myrcene Terpene Isolate

Myrcene is commonly found in lemongrass, thyme, basil, and mangos. You can also find it in tons of beer. Out of the hundreds of oils that are found in hops used to make beer, it’s usually one of the most dominant. β-Myrcene also smells profoundly earthy, woody, and you’ll get distinct notes of cloves, cardamom, fruit, and musk.

Beta-Phellandrene Terpene Isolate

This terpene can be found in the essential oils of plants like angelica, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, some conifer trees, and even some citrus fruits. Its unique scent, which is a surprising mixture of pepper, mint, and citrus, helps explain why it’s found in such a wide variety of plants. Like other monoterpenes, β-Phellandrene has a strong, distinctive aroma and possesses powerful properties that are useful in a variety of industries.

 

Beta-Pinene Terpene Isolate

Alpha-Pinene and beta-Pinene have chemical structures that mirror each other (also known as enantiomers). Their similarities don’t stop there, though. β-Pinene is also found not only in conifer trees like pine but also in herbs like cumin and hops. The aromas are also slightly similar, but with key differences. Both have that innate “piney” scent, but ß-pinene has a fresher, spicier aroma (think nutmeg).

Camphene Terpene Isolate

Found in pine, cumin, hops, and camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) trees, this isolate is popular in a variety of products for both its scent and effects. Calling Camphene “woody” might be an oversimplification, but it definitely falls into that category. However, it would be more accurate to say it smells of damp wood with hints of fir needles.

Caryophyllene-Oxide Terpene Isolate

When ß-Caryophyllene oxidizes, it turns into caryophyllene-Oxide! Similar to other Caryophyllene isolates, caryophyllene-Oxide is uniquely spicy. The difference is that its aroma is slightly sweeter, with more pronounced woody notes. You can find this isolate in lemon balm and geranium.

Cedrene Terpene Isolate

If you haven’t already guessed it by the name, this isolate can be found in Cedar trees, and it has a sweet, woody aroma. Cedrene has several functional properties, and cedar tea has been used for hundreds of years as a medicinal tool.

Citral Terpene Isolate

You’ve probably already guessed it, but Citral has a prominent citrusy aroma and flavor. Considering you can find it in citrus, lemongrass, and lemon myrtle, that’s not much of a surprise. The combination of its functional properties with that fresh citrus flavor makes it popular in perfumes, food and beverages, and soaps. 

Citronellol Terpene Isolate

This is another one with a pretty obvious aroma. Citronellol has a sweet, floral aroma that’s prominently found in, you guessed it, citronella oil. You can also find it in black pepper, lavender, and chamomile. It does have innate insect repellent properties, but it’s also often used in the fragrance industry for its unique aroma.

D-Camphor Terpene Isolate

If you’ve ever used Vicks VapoRub to help when you’re stuffed up, you’re technically already familiar with Camphor. It has a distinct earthy, pine aroma and can be found in large quantities in camphor trees, or Cinnamomum camphora, and also in camphor basil. 

D-Limonene Terpene Isolate

One of the most widely known terpenes, this terpene isolate is prominently found in the rinds of citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruits. It should be fairly obvious that d-Limonene has a loud citrus flavor and smell that’s also a bit sweet. It’s one of the most well-studied isolates and, as such, is used in a variety of industries for its aroma, flavor, and functional properties.

Delta-3-Carene Terpene Isolate

This terpene isolate can be found in basil, bell peppers, cedar, pine, rosemary, and even turpentine. Those may seem like wildly different sources, but delta-3-Carene has a uniquely sweet and earthy aroma described as versatile and nectar-like.

Farnesene Terpene Isolate

If you’re a fan of Granny Smith apples, Farnesene might just be your new favorite terpene isolate. Unfortunately, it corrodes quickly, as it exists only on the outermost layers of produce. Other sources of Farnesene aren’t well known, but its overall aroma is quite complex and manages to be floral, woody, citrus, and herbal all at once.

Fenchyl Alcohol Terpene Isolate

Fenchyl Alcohol, or simply fenchyl, can be found in the essential oil of basil and fennel and has an aroma that’s earthy, pine-like, and spicy with very soft notes of citrus. This unique combination makes it very popular in perfumes, food flavorings, and various soaps.

Gamma-Terpinene Terpene Isolate

This monoterpene can be found in coriander, thyme, lemon, and various other citrus fruits. Gamma-Terpinene has an aroma that’s both citrusy and earthy. It’s widely used in perfume and flavoring but is very volatile and rapidly oxidized into p-cymene.

Geraniol Terpene Isolate

For those who prefer more delicate aromas, Geraniol delivers. Found in roses, sandalwood, and geraniums, this isolate has a floral and citrus aroma with a hint of sweetness. Its floral aroma makes it popular in several self-care products, but it’s also a powerful insect repellent.

Guaiene Terpene Isolate

Guaiene is a sesquiterpene found in patchouli and palo santo. It has an aroma that’s earthy, spicy, and delicately sweet. Some describe it as balsam-like with hints of pepper. This unique aroma has made it quite popular as an ingredient in fragrance products.

Isoborneol Terpene Isolate

Isoborneol has a powerful aroma that’s reminiscent of cinnamon and menthol. Plants like mugwort, nutmeg, and ginger have large amounts of this terpene, and they’ve been used for centuries to relieve various ailments.

L-Menthol Terpene Isolate

Found abundantly in plants like peppermint, l-Menthol has a sweet, minty aroma that’s brisk and cooling. It’s often used in food flavoring and perfume, but you’ll also find it in many antibacterial products.

Linalool Terpene Isolate

Linalool is found in plants like lavender, basil, hops, certain varieties of bay leaf, and more. Its aroma is distinctly floral and sweet, with hints of citrus and rose. If you’ve ever wondered why the scent of lavender is so calming, linalool plays a big role!

 

Nerol Terpene Isolate

Nerol is a derivative of neroli oil from bitter orange tree blossoms. It’s common in perfumes due to its pleasant herbal, rosy smell. It also has a subtle bitterness that is easier to pick up on in sources like hops, lemongrass, conifers, and cumin.

Sabinene Terpene Isolate

Sabinene is found in a diverse number of plants, including marjoram, black pepper, basil, the Norway spruce, and nutmeg. It smells and tastes spicy, woody, and subtly citrusy.

Terpinolene Terpene Isolate

Terpinolene occurs in tea tree, lilac, cumin, nutmeg, allspice, and apples. Woody overtones mesh with a subtle hint of citric sweetness for a complex aroma that’s hard to forget. It’s also a dominant terpene in some of the most beloved strains.

Valencene Terpene Isolate

This floral, citrusy terpene isolate is found abundantly in Valencia oranges, which is where it gets its name. Valencene has the fruit’s iconic sweet, orange flavor with additional subtle wood notes. It also makes up a large part of the flavor of other citrus produce like grapefruits, tangerines, and nectarines.

Abstrax Tech | Promoting Innovations in Terpene Science

At Abstrax Tech, we conduct industry-leading, peer-reviewed research to push the industry forward with better education and collaboration. We’re endlessly passionate about aroma science and will continue promoting excellence in research and innovation. 

Do you have questions about incorporating the latest terpene science in your formulations? Want expert assistance developing the right aroma, flavor, and effects for your products? We’re here to help!

Contact our team today, and let’s get to work.