The Leaf Oils of the Australian Species of Miliusa (Annonaceae)

Abstract

The leaf oils of the three Australian members of the genus Miliusa have been investigated by GC and GC/MS. Miliusa traceyi gave an oil in which α-pinene (18.7%), β-pinene (18.6%) and β-caryophyllene (13.5%) were the major components. Miliusa horsfieldii gave a sesquiterpenic oil with principal components being β-caryophyllene (20.2%) and caryophyllene oxide (12.5%), while Miliusa brahei also gave a sesquiterpenic oil with principal components being β-caryophyllene (12.8%), α-humulene (11.3%) and bicyclogermacrene (12.9%). Monoterpenes accounted for up to 10% of the oil, with (Z)- β-ocimene, linalool, α-terpineol, geraniol and geranyl acetate. It is, presumably, these latter oxygenated monoterpenes which are responsible for the ‘raspberry jelly tree’ name given to this latter species.

Key Word Index:

• Miliusa brahei
• Miliusa horsfieldii
• Miliusa traceyi
• Annonaceae
• essential oil composition
• α-pinene
• β-pinene
• β-caryophyllene
• bicyclogermacrene
• spathulenol
• caryophyllene oxide
• α-humulene