(-)-Menthol is amongst the most important perfume / flavor chemical, extensively used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, toothpastes, chewing gums and toiletries. Out a the estimated total production of a...(-)-Menthol is amongst the most important perfume / flavor chemical, extensively used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, toothpastes, chewing gums and toiletries. Out a the estimated total production of about 20,000 m.tons, natural menthol accounts to about 13 m.tons, the rest coming from synthetic sources. The natural source - oil of Mentha Arvensis - being erratic due to dependence on monsoon, the demand for synthetic menthol is on the increase.
