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 alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, p-cymene and 1,8-cineole in the urine and faeces of the brushtail possum was investigated. 2. alpha-Pinene was metabolized to myrtenic acid and trans-verbenol, beta-pinene to myrtenic acid, p-cymene to p-cresol and cumic acid, and 1,8-cineole to p-cresol, 9-hydroxycineole and cineol-9-oic acid.