Volatile flower oils of three genotypes of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.)

Abstract

The volatile flower oils of three genotypes of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.) commercially cultivated at a high altitude (2200 m above MSL) location (Kodaikanal) in India were investigated by GC and GC–MS. Freshly collected flowers of genotypes 1, 2 and 3 on distillation produced oil yields of 0.32%, 0.34% and 0.50%, respectively. The flower oil of genotype 1 was richer in α-pinene (1.7%), (Z) and (E)-rose oxides (1.3% and 0.6%), isomenthone (6.8%), citronellol (43.8%), citronellyl formate (20.4%), citronellyl acetate (1.0%), β-caryophyllene (2.6%), citronellyl butyrate (2.1%) and citronellyl tiglate (1.9%). The flower oil of genotype 2 was richer in terpinen-4-ol (1.3%), geranyl formate (3.6%), β-bourbonene (1.2%), α-muurolene (1.3%), geranyl isovalerate (0.9%), 10-epi-γ-eudesmol (4.6%) and geranyl tiglate (2.9%). The flower oil of genotype 3 was richer in linalol (7.6%), geraniol (38.6%), geranyl acetate+geranic acid (5.2%), β-phenylethyl butyrate (4.6%), 6,9-guaiadiene (2.3%) and α-humulene (1.5%). Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.