Perillaldehyde

Perillaldehyde, or perilla aldehyde, is a natural organic compound found most abundantly in the perennial herb perilla, but also in a wide variety of other plants and essential oils. It is a monoterpenoid containing an aldehyde functional group.

Perillaldehyde, or volatile oils from perilla that are rich in perillaldehyde, are used as food additives for flavoring and in perfumery to add spiciness. It can be converted to perilla alcohol which is also used in perfumery.

The oxime of perillaldehyde is known as perilla sugar or perillartine and is about 2000 times as sweet as sucrose and is used in Japan as a sweetener.