A comparison of the essential oils ofAframomum daniellii (Hook. F.) K. Schum. andAmomum subulatum Roxb.

Abstract

The essential oil isolated from the seeds of Aframomum daniellii (Hook. f.) K. Schum. (from Nigeria) by hydrodistillation was analysed by GC and GC–MS. The essential oil contained 41 constituents, of which 29 were identified for the first time, and the major constituents of the oil were 1,8-cineole (59.8%), β-pinene (13.2%), α-terpineol (9.3%), α-pinene (4.3%) and α-terpinyl acetate (3.2%). Although the essential oil of Aframomum daniellii was similar in chemical composition to that of Amomum subulatum Roxb. (from India), it had a better aroma. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.