Abstract Essential oils are widely used in fragrances,cosmetics,pharmaceuticals,and personal care products,and their characteristic aromas originate from the synergistic interactions of diverse volatile organic compounds(VOCs).This article provides a chemical overview of the major constituent types of essential oils,with an emphasis on the relationships between molecular structure,aroma characteristics,volatility,and aroma layering.Common analytical techniques,including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS),nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),and infrared spectroscopy(IR),are introduced in the context of component identification and quality control.The fundamental mechanisms of aroma perception are briefly outlined from the perspective of olfactory receptor recognition.In addition,the paper discusses the widespread misconception that“natural means safe”from a chemical standpoint and briefly introduces recent advances in green synthesis and biotransformation toward sustainable fragrance production.Overall,this work aims to elucidate the chemical principles underlying essential-oil aromas and to promote a rational,scientific,and sustainable understanding of aroma-related products.
YUAN Cheng-Shan, LIU Qiang, SHAO Xiang-Feng, YANG Yan-Long, CHEN Xiao-Ming, ZHANG Zheng, LIU Zi-Tong, WANG Xiao-Lei. Chemical Composition,Aroma Mechanisms,Physiological Effects and Scientific Safe Use of Essential Oils[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2026, 47(18): 1-8.
