Role of terpenes in industry: key compounds for functional applications

Role of terpenes in industry: key compounds for functional applications

In the world of modern manufacturing, terpenes have become established as essential compounds to create authentic and functional sensory experiences. These natural ingredients are derived from plants and essential oils.

 

At Frutech, we know that terpenes play an important role in various industries, as they are a fundamental part of developing aromas, flavors and complex formulations in industrial sectors such as cosmetics, food and cleaning products.

 

Beyond their natural origin, terpenes provide technical and sensory value, offering companies an effective alternative to synthetic compounds. Thanks to their properties, their compatibility with other molecules and their distinctive profile, terpenes allow the design of differentiated products adapted to today’s consumer requirements.

What are terpenes and where are they found?

Terpenes are organic compounds, which are classified according to their number of units, whether they are:  monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, among others. This structure gives them a wide range of physical and chemical properties, which make them attractive for multiple industrial applications.

 

They are mainly found in aromatic plants and citrus, being extracted commonly through essential oils by distillation or cold pressing, some of the most typical terpenes are limonene, pinene, linalool, geraniol and menthol, all widely used for their characteristic aroma and stability in industrial processes.

Functions of terpenes in industrial formulations

In industrial applications, terpenes perform both sensory and functional key functions. Its main value lies in its ability to provide fragrance and flavor in a natural way, allowing the development of products with a clean and attractive profile for demanding markets.

  • In fragrances and flavors, terpenes act as sensory modulators, offering a variety of nuances that are ideal for enhancing the profile of complex formulas.

  • In formulations of industrial cleaning or disinfection products, they are used for their fresh and penetrating aroma, which improves the perception of cleanliness of the finished product.
The function of terpenes is their essential oil, there is a bottle of Frutech on a wooden table

One of the functions of terpenes is that they have good compatibility with different types of industrial solutions, which facilitates their integration into automated large-scale manufacturing processes.

Control and dosing of terpenes in industrial processes

The industrial use of terpenes requires precision in dosing, as small variations can alter the sensory quality of the final product or compromise system stability.

  • Proper concentration control is vital to ensure consistency between batches, avoid aromatic overloads or interferences in the formulation.
  • The presence of terpenes in controlled levels also helps to maintain product stability.

Outstanding industrial applications

Food industry

Terpenes are widely used as natural flavourings in processed products. By its origin it allows to comply with "clean label" tags.

Cosmetics industry

In personal care product formulations, terpenes are used to define the aromatic personality of products. They also act as sensory modifiers in hygiene and body care products.

Cleaning and disinfection products

Its olfactory profile is highly valued in institutional and household toiletries. Its aroma contributes to the perception of cleanliness. 

Regulatory and technical considerations

The use of terpenes in industrial environments is regulated by different regulatory frameworks, depending on the field of application.

  • In the case of food and cosmetics, there are concentration limits set by organisms which must be respected to ensure consumer safety.

  • Careful handling and proper storage in airtight, protected from light and controlled temperature containers are recommended to avoid oxidation or loss of aromatic potency.

Function of the terpenes, is that they come from citrus, there are several of them on a wooden table

Frutech and its terpenes 

Terpenes are key molecules in industrial formulations thanks to their ability to provide aromas, flavors and technical functionality in various applications. Its controlled and professional use allows companies to create more natural, attractive and competitive products in sectors as demanding as food, cosmetics and cleaning.

Integrating terpenes into your industrial processes not only improves the sensory profile of the product, but also adds strategic value in terms of quality, differentiation and regulatory compliance.

That’s why we have a variety of terpenes in our catalog, get yours now.

 

Place your order NOW!


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