Chemical composition of the volatiles ofDecalepis hamiltonii (Wight & Arn)

Abstract

Decalepis hamiltonii root has a strong aromatic odour and its volatiles possess antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. On steam distillation the fresh fleshy roots yielded a volatile oil (0.68%) from which 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde crystallized out (96%). GC–MS analysis of the oil showed, besides the residual major component, the presence of benzaldehyde (0.017%), salicylaldehyde (0.018%), methyl salicylate (0.044%), benzyl alcohol (0.016%), 2-phenylethyl alcohol (0.081%), ethyl salicylate (0.038%), p-anisaldehyde (0.01%), and vanillin (0.45%), which are minor but significant, olfactorily and biologically. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.