Pulegone

Pulegone	Last updated: 22/02/2026
(Also known as: (+)-pulegone; d-pulegone; (R)-(+)-enantiomer)

Hazard alerts

The following Pesticide Hazard Tricolour (PHT) alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. The alerts for Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) are based on applying the FAO/WHO (Type 1) and the PAN (Type II) criteria to PPDB data. Further details on the HHP indicators are given in the tables below. Neither the PHT nor the HHP hazard alerts take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus they do not represent risk.

PHT: Environmental fate	PHT: Ecotoxicity	PHT: Human health	Highly Hazardous Pesticide
	Ecotoxicity High alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: High; Bees acute unknown ecotoxicity: High	Human health Moderate alert: Mammals acute toxicity: Moderate; Mammals chronic toxicity: Moderate; Possible Carcinogen; Reproduction/development effects Warning: Significant data are missing

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A botanical substance, common in some plant essential oils, that exhibits bioactivity

Example pests controlled

Fleas; General insects including mites, whiteflies, aphids, mosquitoes, weevils, ants; Various fungal pathogen and microorganisms

Example applications

Stored grains; Domestic households and gardens

Efficacy & activity

Appearance and life cycle

Taxonomic classification

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Not applicable

GB LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a pest control agent

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Not approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Not applicable

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

Not applicable

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Not applicable

Listed in EU database

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece

ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg

LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Also used in

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Pulegone exhibits optical isomerism due to a single chiral centre at the carbon bearing the methyl group (position 5). This results in two enantiomers: the naturally predominant (R)-(+)-pulegone and the less common (S)-(-)-pulegone. No geometrical (E/Z) isomerism occurs at the C=C bond because the two substituents on the terminal carbon are identical methyl groups. Other potential isomers, such as isopulegone, are constitutional (structural) isomers rather than stereoisomers of pulegone itself.

Chemical formula

C₁₀H₁₆O

Canonical SMILES

C[C@@H]1CCC(=C(C)C)C(=O)C1

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

NZGWDASTMWDZIW-MRVPVSSYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C10H16O/c1-7(2)9-5-4-8(3)6-10(9)11/h8H,4-6H2,1-3H3/t8-/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Biopesticide type

Repellent; Insecticide; Fungicide; Antimicrobial; Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Flavouring; Fragrance

Substance groups

Plant-derived substance; Monoterpene ketone

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

The mode of action is not fully clear and is multifaceted. As an insecticide, it has neurotoxic effects, acting as positive allosteric modulators of insect GABA receptors, potentially disrupting neurotransmission and leading to hyperexcitation, paralysis or death. It can also inhibit key insect enzymes leading to oxidative stress, accumulation of damaging reactive species, and enhanced vulnerability to the compound itself or mixtures. It acts as an antifeedant, disrupting probing/feeding behaviour and may affect oviposition or embryonic development in eggs. It’s strong odour contributes to its insect repellency. As a fungicide in inhibits mycelial growth, respiration and thought to deactivate fungi by disrupting the structure and function of fungal cell membranes and organelles.

Substance source

A botanical substance commonly found in some plants especially pennyroyal oil (Mentha pulegium) and various mints

Uses

Crop protection; Domestic and public health applications

Target pests

Fleas; General insects including mites, whiteflies, aphids, mosquitoes, weevils, ants; Various fungal pathogen and microorganisms

Target host

Stored grains; Domestic households and gardens

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

89-82-7

Alternative/old CAS RN

3391-90-0; 15932-80-6

EC number

201-943-2

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

442495

Molecular mass

152.23

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(5R)-5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylidenecyclohexan-1-one

CAS name

cyclohexanone, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethylidene)-, (5R)-

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	XNo Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
XNo Stockholm Convention	XNo OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Forever chemical

Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP)

Type I

Type II

Other status information

FEMA=2963

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

A colourless to slightly yellow oily liquid with a sight minty, resinous odour

Related substances & organisms

pennyroyal oil

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Not currently produced specifically for pest management

Example products using this active

Formulation and application details

Commercial production

Pulegone is commercially produced primarily through natural extraction from essential oils, especially pennyroyal mint (Mentha pulegium), of the volatile oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and flowering tops of the plant, cultivated mainly for this purpose in regions supporting mint production. Synthetic production is possible but not common due to sufficient natural supply and toxicity-related market constraints. Small quantities are also obtainable via in vitro shoot cultures of peppermint (Mentha piperita) in fermenters but these are not significant for bulk commercial output.

Impact on climate of production and use

Data for specific plant oils is scarce. However, from publicly available data the carbon footprint of plant oils has been estimated at between 1.0 and 4.0 kg CO₂e per kg of oil. This depends on the plant oil content, agricultural practices and processing methods used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

173.7

at 25 °C

Moderate

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Miscible

Ethanol

Miscible

Chloroform

Miscible

Carbon tetrachloride

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

224

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

1.58 X 10⁰³

Calculated

Log P

3.2

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

0.93

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Peaks at 253 nm (in methanol) with minor absorbance between 290-700 nm

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Readily biodegradable

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Known soil and groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

2-(2-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-5-methylcyclohexanone

Humans

3-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexanone

Humans

3-methyl-6-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexanol

Humans

E-2-(2-hydroxy-1-methylethylidene)-5-methylcyclohexanone

Humans

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

400

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

> 80

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

> 18.75

Mice NOAEL

Moderate

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

< 1.0

Colinus virginianus

High

Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

0.1

Apis mellifera

High

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Beneficial insects (Butterflies)

Contact

Notes

Oral

Notes

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

18.56

Unknown species

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

24.4

Daphnia magna

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

Regulatory Threshold Levels (RTLs)

Note: These RTLs have been calculated using the regulatory approach used in the European Union and based on ecotoxocity values in the PPDB.

Species group

RTL

Notes

Mammals

3.75

Worst case of acute and chronic mammals

Birds

0.1

Worst case of acute and chronic birds

Soil organisms

No data

No data for acute and chronic earthworms

Terrestrial plants

No data

No data for non-target plants vegetative vigour and seedling emergence

Pollinators

No data

No data for contact and oral honeybees

Arthropods

No data

No data for parasitic wasps and predatory mites

Fish

0.1856

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic fish

Aquatic invertebrates

0.244

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic aquatic invertebrates

Aquatic plants

No data

No data for free-floating plants, rooted plants, acute and chronic algae

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Moderate (class II)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

400

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

> 80

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

> 18.75

Mice NOAEL

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intravenous LD₅₀ = 330 mg kg⁻¹

Dog

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.07

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Hepatotoxic
High exposure may increase liver/kidney weights, hyaline glomerulopathy, bile duct hyperplasia, and hepatocyte hypertrophy
IARC Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Combustible

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

Sensitive to light - store in a dark place; Stable under recommended storage condition

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

pulegone

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	22/02/2026
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242

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