Introduction
Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from corn mint, peppermint, or other mint oils. It is a waxy, crystalline substance, clear or white in color, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above.
| Item | Standard |
| Appearance | Colorless crystals |
| Odor | Natural menthol |
| Assay (%) | ≥99 |
| CAS No. | 89-78-1 |
| FEMA | 2665 |
| EINECS No. | 201-939-0 |
| Molecular formular | C10H20O |
| Molecular weight | 156.27 |
| Special rotation | -50°- -49° |
| Melting point (ºC) | 41.5 - 44 |
| Storage | in dry and cool place |
| Packing | 25kg/fibre drum |
The main form of menthol occurring in nature is (−)-menthol, which is assigned the (1R,2S,5R) configuration. Menthol has local anesthetic and counterirritant qualities, and it is widely used to relieve minor throat irritation.
Menthol crystals generally are extracted from mint leaves with a gentle freezing process. The properties are so concentrated that just a few crystals are needed to create very powerful effects. They are easy to inhale in small quantities in steam, but when you are creating a recipe, you'll be working with larger amounts in a dry environment.
Function
1. Menthol has effect on inflammation of the eye, sore throat, ulcers in the mouth;
2. Menthol is used to treat rubella measles; discomfort with feeling of distension in the chest and hypochondriac regions;
3. Menthol has function of headache in influenza, upper respiratory infection and other epidemic febrile diseases at the inital stage.
Application
1. Applied in food field, often used as additives, with distinct fragrance smell, menthol can promote digestion and increase appetite;
2. Applied in daily necessities field, menthol can be added into a large amount of oral cleaning products, such as dentifrices, mouthwash and tooth powder;
3. Applied in pharmaceutical field, because menthol has the function of inhibition and paralysis to sensory nerve endings, it can be used as counter irritant.
