Thermo-oxidative decomposition of lime, bergamot and cardamom essential oils

•The decomposition of essential oils was studied at 300 °C using a 9% oxygen in nitrogen atmosphere.•The composition of lime, bergamot, and cardamom oils changed during thermo-oxidative treatment.•The strained rings of bicyclic monoterpenes underwent scission resulting in monocyclic monoterpenes.•Linalyl acetate decomposed via the elimination of acetic acid to β-myrcene and ocimene isomers.•α-Terpinyl acetate decomposed with the release of acetic acid, forming limonene and terpinolene.