Diversity, Utility, Analytical Methods and Use Implications of Aroma-active Compounds from Select Angiosperm Families

Introduction: An “aroma-active compound” (AAC) has a “flavor”- ie: a “distinct taste and odor”. An example is menthol. All aromatic plants (APs), including some medicinal plants, such as Mentha×piperita (Family Lamiaceae), produce a group of fat-soluble secondary metabolites called “essential oils” (EOs) for various ecophysiological reasons. An EO has a “flavor” because it contains one or more AACs. A typical EO is a complex mixture of several AACs, with wide ranging, dose-dependent pharmacological/ toxic effects. Owing to their complexity and variability, many EOs need to be standardized to ISO’s criteria. Professional use of EOs/ AAPs in food and drugs is controlled by good manufacturing practice (GMP).

Aim: Given the immense diversities in sources, chemical structures, and bioactivities of EOs/ AACs, which are greatly patronized in foods and drugs, this review focused on their: i) sources in plants, beneficial attributes and liabilities; and ii) chemistry and analytical methods, in order to gain a better insight into their regulation in foods and drugs.

Methodology: Using the 2009 Angiosperm Phylogenic Grouping (APG) of plants as a guide, pertinent literature was perused to ascertain: i) the taxa of APs; ii) their EOs/ AAPs; and iii) the methods for analyzing EOs/ AACs in raw materials (RMs) and finished products (FPs).

Results: The literature revealed scores of AACs with varying health implications. But their levels in samples are usually unknown, or extremely hard to ascertain, owing to costs and complexities of the methods used.

Conclusions: Given the wide ranging effects of EOs/ AAPs vis-à-vis the dearth of data on their levels in samples, it is recommended that their regulation in FPs should focus on: i) controlling the wholesomeness of RMs; and ii) on enforcing strict GMP in using such RMs. Meanwhile relevant agencies should sponsor research into more cost-effective methods.