Essential Oil Content and Composition of Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) Leaves from South of Iran

Abstract

The essential oil of Myrtus communis leaves was obtained by hydro distillation method for 2 hours and then the composition of essential oil was determined by GC and GC-MS. The oil yield was 0.35 % (v/w). Forty-four compounds were identified and 1,8-cineole (26.91 %), α-pinene ( 22.02 %), linalool (12.74 %), linalyl acetate (8.64 %), α-terpineol (8.29 %) and α-terpinyl acetate (4.58 %) were the major components of the essential oil.

Key words:

• Volatile oils
• myrtle
• 1,8-cineole
• α-pinene