Essential Oil of Tansy (<i>Tanacetum vulgare</i>L.) of Canadian Origin

Abstract

ABSTRACT The essential oils and microwave extracts obtained from 25 individual plants of tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) occurring in the Chicoutimi area (Quebec) were examined by a combination of GC and GC/MS. Several chemotypes were observed, two of them probably for the first time. Half of the plants belong to a camphor-1,8-cineole-borneol (concentration >52%) mixed chemotype. The β-thujone chemotype (>60%) was also present in six samples. Four specimens of a chrysanthenone type (>50%) were also observed. Finally, one sample showed a high concentration of dihydrocarvone (>60%). Following proper identification of individual plants by the microwave technique, the essential oils from three lots of plants were obtained and macroscopic properties were recorded. The optical rotation showed tremendous variations from one sample to another. A commercial sample produced in the vicinity of Quebec City belonged mainly to the β-thujone chemotype. KEY WORD INDEX: Tanacetum vulgare Asteraceaetansyessential oilmicrowave extractchemotypesβ-thujonechrysanthenonedihydrocarvonesabinenecamphorborneol