Metabolism of α- and β-pinene, β-cymene and 1,8-cineole in the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula

Abstract

1. The nature of the non-conjugated metabolites of the Eucalyptus oil terpenoid components α-pinene, β-pinene, β-cymene and 1,8-cineole in the urine and faeces of the brushtail possum was investigated.

2. α-Pinene was metabolized to myrtenic acid and trans-verbenol, β-pinene to myrtenic acid, β-cymene to β-cresol and cumic acid, and 1,8-cineole to β-cresol, 9-hydroxycineole and cineol-9-oic acid.