Valencene

Valencene is a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon characteristic of Valencia orange aroma. It occurs at small levels in some other oils. Available data indicates it is safe at standard concentrations.

Skin. Acute dermal LD50 in rabbits exceeded 5 g/kg. Undiluted material was moderately to severely irritating to rabbit skin when applied for 24 hours under occlusion. At 5 percent on 25 healthy male volunteers it was neither irritating nor sensitizing.

Oral. Acute oral LD50 in rats exceeded 5 g/kg.

Mutagenicity. Not mutagenic in Salmonella TA98 and TA100 with or without S9.

Valencene is one of the sesquiterpenes that defines the aroma of sweet orange. Natural oxidation of valencene produces nootkatone, the more characteristic grapefruit odor compound.