The Leaf Oils of the Australian Species of Hedycarya (Monimiaceae)

Abstract

The steam distilled leaf oils of Hedycarya angustifolia and H. loxocarya have been investigated by GC and GC/MS. All samples of H. angustifolia examined gave oils in which the major compounds were elemol and α-, β- and γ-eudesmol. Within these samples, however, there were variations. In this species there were observed three chemical varieties: (a) one with no monoterpenes, (b) one with significant quantities of camphene present and (c) samples in which significant amounts of the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon ishwarane were present in the oil. Hedycarya loxocarya gave a leaf oil similar to that given by variety (a) of H. angustifolia, in that the principal components were elemol and α-, β- and γ-eudesmol and virtually no monoterpenes. Solvent extraction of leaf material of both species showed that elemol was the principal component and if the extraction was carried out in the presence of base no eudesmols were detected.

Key Word Index:

• Hedycarya angustifolia
• Hedycarya loxocarya
• Monimiaceae
• essential oil composition
• elemol
• α-eudesmol
• β-eudesmol
• γ-eudesmol
• camphene
• ishwarane