Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons of cold-pressed lime oils

Abstract

The sesquiterpene hydrocarbon composition of cold-pressed lime oils of the Key lime (type A and B) and the Persian lime varieties were investigated. α-Santalene, γ-curcumene, β-selinene, β-sesquiphellandrene and 7-epi-α-selinene were confirmed as so far unknown trace constituents of cold-pressed lime oils. The usage of unusually gentle GC conditions permitted the establishment of germacrenes A and C, both thermally and chemically sensitive compounds, as important constituents of cold-pressed lime oil for the first time. This allowed to demonstrate that the germacrenes A, B, C and D make up ca 25% of the sesquiterpene fraction in expressed Key lime oil. Usage of conventional GC conditions largely lead to the destruction of these heat-labile compounds, which may be of organoleptic importance. The employed detection method also allowed the identification of germacrene-A in Chinese citronella oil. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.