Composition of the Stem, Flower and Fruit Oils of<i>Litsea cubeba</i>Pers. from Two Locations of Assam, India

Abstract

The essential oils from the stems, flowers and fmits of two populations of Litsea cubeba Pel's., growing spontaneously in Assam, India, were examined by a combination of high resolution GC and GC/MS. Between 19 and 44 compounds have been identified, accounting for 82-99% of the oils. The major constituents of the stem oils appeared to be citronellol 01.9-20.4%) and citronella I (7.7-10'(jOlo). The fmit oils were also characterized by high concentrations of these compounds, but in reversed order: citronellal (44.8-77 .2%) and citronellol OO.9-14.00Al). The flower oils were rich in sabinene (41.8-42.3%), citronellal (14.3-17.3%), beta-phellandrene (7.7-9.0%), a-pinene (6.6-7.6%) and beta-pinene (5.8-6.1%).