Composition of the Stem, Flower and Fruit Oils of Litsea cubeba Pers. from Two Locations of Assam, India

Abstract

The essential oils from the stems, flowers and fruits of two populations of Litsea cubeba Pers., growing spontaneously in Assam, India, were examined by a combination of high resolution GC and GC/MS. Between 19 and 44 compounds have been identified, accounting for 82–99% of the oils. The major constituents of the stem oils appeared to be citronellol (11.9–20.4%) and citronellal (7.7–10.0%). The fruit oils were also characterized by high concentrations of these compounds, but in reversed order: citronellal (44.8–77.2%) and citronellol (10.9–14.0%). The flower oils were rich in sabinene (41.8–42.3%), citronellal (14.3–17.3%), β-phellandrene (7.7–9.0%), α-pinene (6.6–7.6%) and β-pinene (5.8–6.1%).

Key Word Index:

• Litsea cubeba
• Lauraceae
• essential oil composition
• sabinene
• citronellol
• citronellal