Essential Oils of Rosemary (<i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i>L.). The Chemical Composition of Oils of Various Origins (Morocco, Spain, France)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The chemical composition of the essential oil of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) from various geographical origins (Morocco, Spain and France) was determined by GC/MS. Although 48 constituents were identified, the oils of different origins could be differentiated based both on their physicochemical characteristics and their major components. The Spanish oils were found to be rich in α-pinene (19.4–24.7%), 1,8-cineole (19.0–21.8%) and camphor (16.3–18.9%), while the French oils possessed α-pinene (19.9–35.1%), 1,8-cineole (5.3–24.8%) and bornyl acetate (1.2–14.3%). Moroccan oils were typically rich in 1,8-cineole (43.5–57.7%).