Composition of an Essential Oil from Agonis fragrans J.R. Wheeler et N.G.Marchant

Abstract

The leaf essential oils of Agonis fragrans, isolated by steam distillation and solvent extraction, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major components identified in five of the six samples investigated were 1,8-cineole (28%-34% and 12%-26%, respectively) and α-pinene (14%-28 % and 12%-18% respectively). The remaining sample was almost devoid of 1, 8-cineole (1% in oil and 0% in extract) with higher concentrations of α-pinene (22% and 39%), linalool (25% and 18%) and (+)-(1S, 5R)-myrtenol (20% and 12% respectively). The compositional variation within the species indicated that a breeding project could identify and use the best composition for commercial development.

Key Word Index:

• Agonis fragrans
• Myrtaceae
• Coarse Agonis
• Coarse Tea Tree
• essential oil composition
• ethanolic extract
• 1,8-cineole
• (+)-(1S, 5R)-myrtenol
• linalool
• α-pinene
• antimicrobial activity