Composition of the Essential Oil of Ocimum sanctum L. Grown in Poland During Vegetation

Abstract

The essential oils of the air-dried aerial parts of Ocimum sanctum L. (syn. O. tenuiflorum L.f.), harvested in four stages of vegetation, were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by capillary GC, GC/MS, and ¹H-NMR. The 57 compounds, representing 90–94% of the oil, were identified after oil distillation under reduced pressure and separation by repeated flash chromatography. The content of the main constituents: β-bisabolene (13–20%) 1,8-cineole (9–33%) and methyl chavicol (2–12%) varied during development of the plant.

Key Word Index:

• Ocimum sanctum
• Lamiaceae
• essential oil composition
• methyl chavicol
• l,8-cineole
• β-bisabolene