Constituents of the Leaf Oil of Cinnamomum pubescens Kochummen

Abstract

The chemical composition of the leaf oil of Cinnamomum pubescens Kochummen was examined by GC with authentic samples on two columns of different polarity, GC/MS and retention indices. Oils hydrodistilled from samples collected from two different sites at different periods were found to possess minor compositional differences but considerable variation in the levels of some components. The oils were rich in benzyl benzoate (46.1–47.1%) and β-phellandrene (14.9–16.4%). The samples could be differentiated from each other in which one sample contained a signifcantly higher concentration of benzyl salicylate and relatively lower concentrations of pinenes and (E)-methyl cinnamate.

Key Word Index:

• Cinnamomum pubescens
• Lauraceae
• essential oil composition
• benzyl benzoate
• β-phellandrene