// Definition
The process by which terpenes, particularly limonene, react with oxygen in the air to form hydroperoxides and endoperoxides. These degradation products are noxious and should not be inhaled or exposed to biological tissue. Even small amounts of peroxide degradation products can make an entire batch taste off.
// From the Episode
Horatio Delbert and Mark Scialdone discussed how limonene forms peroxides when exposed to air, and how these can be prevented by keeping the material slightly wet. At nail temperature, hydroperoxides are not thermally stable and decompose further. Humans have parts-per-billion sensitivity to micro-aldehydes produced by this degradation.
// Source
Ep. 062 Hash Church LXII 62 →