Capillary gas chromatographic ‐ mass spectrometric determination of the flavour composition of dragonhead (<i>Dracocephalum moldavica</i> L.)

Abstract

Abstract The flavour composition of dragonhead ( Dracocephalum moldavica L.) was analysed by capillary gas chromatography ‐ mass spectrometry. Altogether 57 compounds were identified and 11 unknown components detected. The volatile oil of dragonhead consists mainly of oxygenated, acyclic monoterpenes; geranyl acetate, geranial, neral, geraniol and neryl acetate together account for about 90% of the oil. Monoterpene hydrocarbons are present only in trace amounts. The compounds which could not be identified are oxygenated monoterpenes, oxygenated sesquiterpenes, one sesquiterpene hydrocarbon and a mixture of an oxygenated monoterpene and a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon.