Analysis of the Volatile Components of Onosma echioides (L.) L. var. columnae Lacaita Growing in Central Italy

Abstract

Volatile components obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts (leaves and flowers) of Onosma echioides (L.) L. var. columnae Lacaita (Boraginaceae family) growing wild in central Italy (Marche, Umbria and Abruzzo regions) were investigated by GC and GC/MS for the first time. Sixty-four volatile components were identified: hexadecanoic acid (3.2–33.8%) and phytol (7.3–15.2%) were predominant in the flower oils, while phytol (36.5–54.5%) and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (7.1–12.1%) were the major components in the leaf oils. Alkanes, fatty acids and aldehydes constituted the major fraction in the flower oils, while oxygenated diterpenes and ketones were predominant in the leaf oils. Phytol was isolated by flash chromatography and its identity was confirmed by IR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectra. Variation of the volatile components in the six populations of O. echioides var. columnae, due to genetic and geographic factors, was analyzed by cluster analysis.

Key Word Index:

• Onosma echioides var. columnae
• Boraginaceae
• essential oil composition
• phytol
• hexadecanoic acid
• hexahydrofarnesyl acetone