(S)-(-)-Perillaldehyde is a terpene and volatile compound that has been found in Japanese shisho leaves and has antimicrobial and nematocidal activities.1,2 It reduces the total air microbial count in a testing room by 53% when sprayed at a concentration of 5 mg/m3.1 (S)-(-)-Perillaldehyde (250 µg/ml) induces 97% mortality in C. elegans soil nematodes.2 It is also an atmospheric pollutant that is formed from the oxidation of various terpenes, such as limonene and α-pinene , among others.3
1.Sato, K., Krist, S., and Buchbauer, G.Antimicrobial effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde, (-)-perillaldehyde, (-)-citronellal, citral, eugenol and carvacrol on airborne microbes using an airwasherBiol. Pharm. Bull.29(11)2292-2294(2006) 2.Tsao, R., and Yu, Q.Nematicidal activity of monoterpenoid compounds against economically important nematodes in agricultureJ. Essent. Oil Res.12(3)350-354(2000) 3.UreÑa, F.P., Moreno, J.R.A., and GonzÁlez, J.J.L.Conformational flexibility in terpenes: Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), infrared and raman study of S-(-)-perillaldehydeJ. Phys. Chem. A.112(34)7887-7893(2008)