Volatile composition of the floral essential oil of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. from Nigeria

Abstract

The chemical composition of essential oil obtained from the hydrodistillation of air-dried flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa L (Malvaceae) are reported. The components of the essential oils were analysed by means of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GCMS). The major compounds identified in the essential oil were hexadecanoic acid (64.3%) and linoleic acid (22.7%).