Pulegone comprises 75% of the oil pressed from pennyroyal, which is cultivated for that purpose. Hydrogenation of pulegone gives menthone. Pulegone is also a precursor to menthofuran, another flavorant.[5]
Toxicology
It was reported that the chemical is toxic to rats if a large quantity is consumed.[6][7]
Pulegone is also an insecticide − the most powerful of three insecticides naturally occurring in many mint species.[8]
As of October 2018, the FDA withdrew authorization for the use of pulegone as a synthetic flavoring substance for use in food, but that naturally-occurring pulegone can continue to be used.[9]
^ abAsekun, O.T.; Grierson, D; Afolayan, A; et al. (2006). "Effects of drying methods on the quality and quantity of the essential oil of Mentha longifolia L. subsp. Capensis". Food Chemistry. 101 (3): 995–998. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.02.052.
^Farley, Derek R.; Valerie Howland (2006). "The natural variation of the pulegone content in various oils of peppermint". Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 31 (11): 1143–1151. doi:10.1002/jsfa.2740311104.