Natural plant compounds with diverse and multiple aromas, odors, and colors

Terpenes (TPs) or isoprenoids compounds are a group of structurally heterogeneous organic natural substances that are widespread in nature. Their basic structure is a hydrocarbon consisting of five carbon atoms attached to eight hydrogen atoms (C5H8), isoprene. The terpene class contains TPs as such and many related substances called terpenoids (TOs). Most TPs are of plant origin and less often of animal origin. They can generally be found frequently in the form of alcohols, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, esters, ethers, glycosides, hydrocarbons, and ketones. TPs and TOs give the characteristic smell and taste to almost every plant, fruit, flower, and more. The class of TPs from a biological point of view is not sufficiently known, TPs being important for obtaining essential oils (EOs), insecticides in the form of pheromones, bactericidal substances, and perfumes.