Characterization of essential oils and hydrosols from senegalese Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh

Abstract

The volatile oils of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves harvested in three agro-ecological areas in Senegal were analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The yields ranged from 0.5 to 1.0%. Qualitative and quantitative differences were determined in the composition according to leave sources. The main compounds of Saint-Louis oils were: 1,8-cineole (69.3–73.0%) and limonene (12.4–13.5%), whereas those from Kaolack were characterized by p-cymene (28.4–32.6%), 1,8-cineole (16.8–20.0%), α-pinene (8.7–11.6%) and limonene (7.8–8.3%), while those plants from Dakar revealed high content of β-pinene (25.3–34.4%) and α-eudesmol (12.3–20.6%). During drying of leaves, the proportions of all major compounds (except limonene) increased and were optimal after 2 h hydrodistillation. As in oils, 1,8-cineole was the major compound in hydrosols from Saint-Louis and Kaolack (77.3% and 39.0%, respectively), Dakar floral water showed: α-terpineol (20.3%), 1,8-cineole (12.6%), trans-pinocarveol (9.9%) and α-eudesmol (9.8%) as major compounds. E. camaldulensis from Saint-Louis is a source of essential oils that could be used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

Keywords:

• Eucalyptus camaldulensis
• essential oils
• floral waters
• 1,8-cineole
• β-pinene
• p-cymene

Acknowledgments

This work was accomplished within the framework of the project ‘WBI-Sénégal n°2: Production d’huiles essentielles à partir de plantes locales: expérimentation, adaptation et diffusion de technologies’ financed by Wallonie Bruxelles International (WBI) who is gratefully acknowledged.