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This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil from Ivoirian Isolona dewevrei. A combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C-NMR) was used to analyze two oil samples (S1 and S2). Detailed analysis by repetitive column chromatography (CC) of essential oil sample S2 was performed, leading to the isolation of four compounds. Their structures were elucidated by QTOF-MS, 1D and 2D-NMR as (10βH)-1β,8β-oxido-cadin-4-ene (38), 4-methylene-(7αH)-germacra-1(10),5-dien-8β-ol (cis-germacrene D-8-ol) (52), 4-methylene-(7αH)-germacra-1(10),5-dien-8α-ol (trans-germacrene D-8-ol) (53) and cadina-1(10),4-dien-8β-ol (56). Compounds 38, 52 and 53 are new, whereas NMR data of 56 are reported for the first time. Lastly, 57 constituents accounting for 95.5% (S1) and 97.1% (S2) of the whole compositions were identified. Samples S1 and S2 were dominated by germacrene D (23.6 and 20.5%, respectively), followed by germacrene D-8-one (8.9 and 8.7%), (10βH)-1β,8β-oxido-cadin-4-ene (7.3 and 8.7), 4-methylene-(7αH)-germacra-1(10),5-dien-8β-ol (7.8 and 7.4%) and cadina-1(10),4-dien-8β-ol (7.6 and 7.2%). Leaves from I. dewevrei produced sesquiterpene-rich essential oil with an original chemical composition, involving various compounds reported for the first time among the main components. Integrated analysis by GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C-NMR appeared fruitful for the knowledge of such a complex essential oil.

The investigation of the stem essential oil of Laggera pterodonta (DC.) Sch. Bip. ex Oliv. (Asteraceae) from Côte d’Ivoire was carried out, using a combination of chromatographic (GC-RI, CC, pc-GC) and spectroscopic (GC-MS, 13C NMR) techniques. This study led to the identification of fifty constituents of which two new natural compounds 7β,11β-epoxy-eudesman-4α-ol and 7α,11α-epoxy-eudesman-4α-ol. Their structures were elucidated by 1 D and 2 D NMR spectroscopy after pc-GC purifying. Finally, 98.9% of the whole composition of the oil was identified with a high amount of 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene (78.9%). The other significant components were α-humulene (6.2%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (1.7%), thymyl methyl oxide (1.7%), α-phellandrene (1.5%), p-cymene (1.2%), (3αH,4βH,6αH,1αMe)-1,6-epoxy-3-hydroxycarvotanacetone angelic acid ester (1.1%) and 10-epi-γ-eudesmol (1.0%).

International audience; The chemical composition of 44 leaf oil samples of Laggera pterodonta (DC.) SCH.BIP. EX OLIV. (Asteraceae) from Côte d'Ivoire was investigated, using combination of chromatographic (GC-FID) and spectroscopic (GC/MS, 13 C-NMR) techniques. Two oil samples chosen according to their chromatographic profiles were submitted to column chromatography and all fractions of CC were analyzed by GC-FID, GC/MS and 13 C-NMR. In total, 83 components accounting for 96.5 to 99.4 % of the whole chemical composition were identified. Significant variations were observed within terpene classes: monoterpene hydrocarbons (0.4-22.7 %), oxygenated monoterpenes (32.9-54.9 %), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (18.6-38.3 %) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (3.5-38.4 %). Thus, the 44 compositions were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Two groups were differentiated according to their composition. All the samples contained 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene, α-humulene and (E)-β-caryophyllene among the main components. Other components were present at appreciable contents and allowed differentiation of two groups: sabinene and germacrene D for Group I; 10-epi-γ-eudesmol and eudesm-7(11)-en-4α-ol for Group II. All the samples collected in Eastern Côte d'Ivoire constituted Group I, while samples collected in the Central area of the country constituted Group II.

International audience

The essential oils of six endemic Malagasy Helichrysum species were investigated by GC (RI), GC&ndash, MS and 13C NMR spectrometry. In total, 153 compounds were identified accounting for 90.8% to 99.9% of the total composition. The main constituents were &alpha, pinene for H. benthamii, 1,8-cineole for H. dubardii, (E)-&beta, caryophyllene for H. indutum, and H. bojerianum. H. diotoides essential oil was characterized by the presence of two lilac alcohols and four lilac acetates whereas H. hirtum essential oil exhibited an atypical composition with 7&beta, H-silphiperfol-5-ene, 7-epi-subergorgiol, and 7-epi-silphiperfol-5-en-13-oic acid as major components.

This study made it possible to characterise by GC (in combination with retention indices), GC-MS and 13C NMR, the chemical composition of the essential oils from Solanum rugosum and Solanum erianthum, two Solanaceae of the Ivorian flora. The two essential oils were characterised by a very high proportion of sesquiterpenes. Specifically, the essential oil of S. rugosum was dominated by (E)-β-caryophyllene (33.7%), β-elemol (19.8%) and germacrene D (14.4%), while that of S. erianthum was mainly composed of α-humulene (38.6%), β-elemol (17.8%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (16.7%). The chemical composition of Solanum rugosum is described here for the first time.

Root and flower essential oils of Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob. (Synonym Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less.) (Asteraceae) collected in Southern Côte d’Ivoire was investigated using a combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The root oil composition was dominated by trans–β–bergamotene (20.7%), β–elemene (19.0%), cyperene (10.6%), germacrene A (7.1%) and β–pinene (3.8%), whereas γ–humulene (31.0%), (E)–β–caryophyllene (17.0%), trans–β–bergamotene (7.7%), β–pinene (7.5%) and (E)–β–farnesene (6.0%) were the major components of flower oil. Two new compounds bearing the trans–β–bergamotene framework were identified: trans–β–bergamotenone and (E)–trans–β–bergamotenol.

The composition of Enantia polycarpa Engl. & Diels leaf essential oil has been investigated for the first time using a combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The compositions of 52 leaf essential oil samples have been subjected to statistical analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Four groups were differentiated, of which the compositions were dominated by β-elemene and germacrene B (Group III, 22/52 samples); germacrene D (Group I, 16/52 samples); β-cubebene (Group IV, 8/52 samples) and by germacrene B and germacrene D (Group II, 6/52 samples). A special attention was brought to the quantification of the thermolabile components, germacrene A, germacrene B and germacrene C, as well as that of their rearranged compounds, β-elemene, γ-elemene and δ-elemene. 13 C-NMR data of β-cubebene have been provided.

The chemical composition of twenty-five essential oil samples from the aerial parts of two Malagasy endemic species Billburttia capensoides Sales & Hedge and B. vaginoides Sales & Hedge, were investigated for the first time. Based on chromatographic profiles, three selected samples were investigated using GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C NMR. The content of the main components varied drastically from sample to sample: p-mentha-1,3,8-triene (0.2–52.7%), terpinolene (2.8–40.7%) and dill apiole (0.0–22.2%). Statistical analysis of the 25 oil compositions allowed the distinction of two well-differentiated groups. Samples of group I contained mainly p-mentha-1,3,8-triene while the Group II was dominated by terpinolene and dill apiole.

One oil sample isolated from leaves of Artabotrys jollyanus Pierre, Annonaceae, from Côte d’Ivoire has been analyzed by GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C NMR. In total, thirty-seven compounds accounting for 96.9% of the relative composition have been identified. The composition of the essential oil was dominated by trans-calamenene (15.7%), α-copaene (14.8%), α-cubebene (10.4%), cadina-3,5-diene (10.3%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (6.3%) and cadina-1,4-diene (6.1%). 13C NMR spectroscopy was very useful in the identification of trans-calamenene, 7-hydroxycalamenene, cadina-3,5-diene and cadina-1,4-diene. Moreover, monitoring the evolution of the leaf essential oil composition and the yield on a 12-month period (one sample per month) was achieved. The twelve essential oil samples exhibited a chemical homogeneity but the yield varied from sample to sample (0.26–0.60%). Keywords: 7-Hydroxycalamenene, Essential oil, Côte d’Ivoire, 13C NMR, Sesquiterpenes

Root essential oil of Pulicaria mauritanica Coss. (Asteraceae) collected from western Algeria was analysed using a combination of chromatographic (CC, GC/FID, GC(RI)] and spectroscopic [GC–MS, 13C-NMR] techniques. Thirty-eight compounds accounting for 90.4% of the whole composition were identified. The oil composition was dominated by thymyl derivatives (2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene (37.2%), 6-methoxythymyl isobutyrate (14.2%), 10-isobutyryloxy-8,9-dehydrothymyl isobutyrate (4.8%) and thymyl isobutyrate (3.1%)), as well as by neryl isobutyrate (11.1%). A new natural compound was isolated and the structure was elucidated as 1S,2S,5S,8S-modhephan-3-one (relative stereochemistry). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The combination of 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography (GC) (retention index), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the chemical composition of essential oils of Piper guineense and Piper umbellatum from Côte d’Ivoire. Thus, 54 components, accounting for 91.5% to 97.6%, were identified in the essential oil from aerial parts of P. guineense. In P. umbellatum leaf oil, 49 compounds accounting for 92.8% to 98.7% were identified. Both plants oils were dominated by monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, with α-phellandrene, (2 E,6 E)-farnesol, and linalool as major compounds of P. guineense, whereas the most abundant components of P. umbellatum were linalool and ( E)-β-caryophyllene. (2 E,6 E)-Farnesol, identified for the first time in the essential oil from aerial parts of P. guineense, induced a new chemical composition.

Introduction Germacrenes A–C are secondary metabolites produced by various plants. They are sesquiterpene hydrocarbons bearing the (E,E)-1,5-cyclodecadiene structure known to undergo thermal rearrangement through a [3.3]-sigmatropic reaction. Such a rearrangement was evidenced by comparing the contents of a given germacrene and the corresponding elemene calculated by GC-flame ionisation detection (FID) with the relative intensities of the signals of both molecules in the 13C-NMR spectrum of the mixture, recorded at room temperature. Objective To develop a protocol to identify and quantify germacrenes A, B and C and in parallel the corresponding elemenes, using a combination of GC-FID and 13C-NMR and then provide a correct analysis of Cleistopholis patens essential oils. Methods The essential oil was submitted to GC-FID, GC-retention index, GC–MS and 13C-NMR analyses. The relative percentages of every couple of germacrene and elemene measured by GC-FID were summed. Then, the relative ratio of the mean intensities of the signals of the protonated carbons of a given germacrene and the corresponding elemene was calculated. The contents of both compounds were obtained by combining GC-FID and 13C-NMR data. Results The true content of germacrene A/β-elemene, germacrene B/γ-elemene and germacrene C/δ-elemene in leaf and root oils from C. patens was evaluated by combination of GC-FID and 13C-NMR data. Correct analysis of the essential oils was provided. Conclusion Combined analysis of essential oil including 13C-NMR without isolation of the components, appeared really efficient to identify and quantify germacrene isomers and in parallel elemene isomers in essential oils. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Forty-two essential oil samples were isolated from leaves of Xylopia rubescens harvested in three forests of Southern Ivory Coast. All the samples have been submitted to GC(FID) and the retention indices of individual components have been measured on two capillary columns of different polarity. In addition, 20 oil samples, selected on the basis of their chromatographic profile, were also analyzed by 13C NMR and 24 components (78.0 - 92.4% of the whole compositions) have been identified. The content of the main components varied drastically from sample to sample: furanoguaia-1,4-diene (5.7 - 54.1%), furanoguaia-1,3-diene (1.1 - 10.5%), (8Z,11Z,14Z)-heptadec-8,11,14-trien-2-one (4.3 - 16.0%), and (E)-β-caryophyllene (1.7-17.3%). Hierarchical cluster and principal components analysis of the 42 oil compositions allowed the distinction of two well-differentiated groups of unequal importance within the oil samples. Oil samples of the main group (group II) contained mainly furanoguaia-1,4-diene (M = 43.1%; SD = 3.2%) while furanoguaia-1,3-diene (M = 8.4%; SD = 0.9%) and (8Z,11Z,14Z)-heptadec-8,11,14-trien-2-one (M = 7.1%; SD = 1,5%) were present at appreciable contents. The composition of group I was dominated by furanoguaia-1,4-diene (M = 17.0%; SD = 8.5%), (8Z,11Z,14Z)-heptadec-8,11,14-trien-2-one (M = 10.2%; SD = 2.4%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (M = 9.5%; SD = 5.3%). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The composition of 55 samples of essential oil isolated from the aerial parts of wild growing Myrtus communis L. harvested in 16 locations from East to West Algeria were investigated by GC (determination of retention indices) and (13) C-NMR analyses. The essential oils consisted mainly of monoterpenes, α-pinene (27.4-59.2%) and 1,8-cineole (6.1-34.3%) being the major components. They were also characterized by the absence of myrtenyl acetate. The compositions of the 55 oils were submitted to k-means partitioning and principal component analysis, which allowed the distinction of two groups within the oil samples, which could be subdivided into two subgroups each. Groups I (78% of the samples) and II were differentiated on the basis of the contents of α-pinene, linalool, and linalyl acetate. Subgroups IA and IB could be distinguished by their contents of α-pinene and 1,8-cineole. Subgroups IIA and IIB differed substantially in their contents of 1,8-cineole and limonene. All the samples contained 3,3,5,5,8,8-hexamethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.3.0]non-1(6)-ene-2,4-dione (up to 4.9%).

For the first time, the chemical composition of the essential oil of aerial parts of Micromeria debilis was determined. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC(FID), GC/MS and 13C-NMR. In total, forty-two constituents were identified representing 92.4% of the total oil, β-Pinene (19.3%) being the major monoterpene beside geranial (8.7%) and linalool (6.5%). Germacrene D (11.4%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (8.0%) were the main sesquiterpene hydrocarbons while oxygenated sesquiterpenes were mainly represented by caryophyllene oxide (8.0%). Eight samples of essential oil of M. debilis collected in two locations exhibited similar chemical composition evidencing a chemical homogeneity. The essential oil showed moderate antimicrobial activity, with MIC values between 2 μL/mL and 6 μL/mL. The lowest MIC values (2.0 μL/mL) were measured for K. pneumoniae, S. typhimurium and C. albicans.

Leaves (16 samples) and stem bark (four samples) of Xylopia villosa were collected in two forests of south-eastern Cote d’Ivoire. The chemical composition of essential oils was investigated by gas chromatography (GC; in combination with retention indices) and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Thirty-three compounds accounting for 85.9–95.9% of the oil have been identified. Xylopia villosa produces a monoterpene-rich essential oil, whose composition was dominated by sabinene or (Z)-β-ocimene, one or the other compound being the major component. One atypical leaf oil sample exhibited myrcene as major component.

Myrtus communis L. grows wild all around the Mediterranean basin and on the islands. Myrtle leaf essential oil has a characteristic pleasant odour although various compositions, which differ by the content of monoterpene esters, have been reported. Fractionation of an essential oil sample from Corsica, followed by analysis of the chromatographic fractions by GC (RI) and 13 C NMR allowed the identification of four C8-C10 esters, first identified 20 years ago in a Spanish essential oil sample and since that time very scarcely reported, despite the tremendous amount of work carried out on the composition of myrtle leaf essential oil. Therefore, the composition of 63 samples of M. communis L. leaf essential oil isolated from myrtle growing wild in various Mediterranean countries (Corsica, Sardinia, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) has been investigated by GC(RI) and 13 C NMR and the four C8-C10 esters have been identified in all the samples. The occurrence of these esters merits great attention, since they contribute to the pleasant odour of the myrtle essential oil. In parallel, 3,3,5,5,8,8-hexamethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.3.0]non-1(6)-ene-2,4-dione has been identified in all the samples.

Introduction In the course of on-going work on the characterisation of aromatic plants from the Ivory Coast we investigated the composition of the root oil from Xylopia aethiopica. Objectives The aim of this work was to investigate the chemical composition of X. aethiopica root oil and elucidate the structure of two new compounds. Methodology Analysis of the essential oil was carried out using a combination of chromatographic (CC, GC with retention indices) and spectroscopic techniques (MS, 13C-NMR, 2D-NMR). Results Twenty seven components, accounting for 95.6% of the whole composition, were identified including various compounds for which spectroscopic data were absent on commercial computerised MS libraries. Three compounds are reported for the first time as natural compounds and the structure of two new compounds, 4,4-dimethyl-2-vinylcyclohexene and endo-5-methoxy-3-patchoulene, has been elucidated using extensive two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Conclusion The composition of X. aethiopica root oil is dominated by two dimethylvinylcyclohexene isomers. It differs drastically from the composition of leaf and fruit oils of the same plant. The combination of analytical techniques appeared crucial for a fruitful analysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The composition of essential oil isolated from leaves, stem bark and fruits of Artabotrys oliganthus Engl. & Diels growing wild in Ivory Coast, was investigated by GC (retention indices) and 13C NMR. The oils were found to contain mostly monoterpene hydrocarbons. The composition of leaf and stem bark oil was dominated by D-3-carene (60.2 % and 57.2 %, respectively). Conversely, myrcene (59.2 %) was by far the major component of the fruit oil (D-3-carene: 16.3 %).

Integrated analysis by complementary analytical techniques [CC, GC in combination with Retention Indices, GC-MS and 13C NMR] of the volatile components isolated from the aerial parts of Tana bojeriana (Baker) B.-E.van Wyk (Apiaceae), growing wild in South-Western Madagascar, was carried out before flowering and during full flowering periods. The composition of the essential oil was dominated by monoterpenes: α-phellandrene (28.3 - 50.0 %), limonene (10.5 - 23.1 %), carvone (1.7 - 22.8 %) and dill ether (7.7 - 17.8 %). Identification of some minor components was achieved by GC(RI) and 13C NMR after fractionation of one oil sample.

The chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil isolated from aerial parts of Acronychia pedunculata (L.) Miq. from Vietnam are reported. Analysis was carried out by GC (RI), GC-MS and 13C NMR. Thirty-four compounds were identified, accounting for 92.8% of the oil. The major constituents were alpha-pinene (57.4%) and (E)-beta-caryophyllene (13.6%). The essential oil of A. pedunculata was shown to possess a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against various bacteria, particularly Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

The composition of 46 samples of needle oil of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) from Corsica was investigated by gas chromatography (GC) in combination with retention indices, GC–MS and 13C-NMR. Sixty compounds, accounting for 82.9–97.0% of the oil, were identified. The oils consisted mainly of mono-, sesqui- and diterpene hydrocarbons, especially α-pinene (6.4–29.4%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (4.4–19.9%), germacrene D (1.7–21.4%) and abieta-7,13-diene (6.8–34.2%). Although the composition varied substantially from sample to sample, k-means partitioning and principal component analysis (PCA) of the compositional data suggested the occurrence of only one group within the 46 individual samples. The composition dominated by diterpene hydrocarbons (up to 61%) is reported for the first time. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

International audience; The composition of twenty-four samples of essential oil isolated from leaves of Citrus paradisi Macf. growing in a northern area of citrus cultivation in Mediterranean climate (Corsica) was investigated by GC (RI), GC-MS and C-13 NMR. Thirty-six compounds accounting for 94.9-99.3% of the oil composition were identified. The oils contained mainly monoterpene hydrocarbons and specially sabinene (up to 60.2%),(E)-beta-ocimene (up to 15.0%) and punctually gamma-terpinene (up to 56.1%), beta-pinene (up to 30.9%) and p-cymene (up to 12.5%). The twenty-four compositions were submitted to k-means partitioning and principal component analysis, which allowed the distinction of one homogeneous group of twenty-two grapefruits (main compound sabinene, mean = 47.1%). This group included eighteen cultivars derived by mutation from the ancestral grapefruit tree (Duncan) and four cultivars known to be interspecific hybrids. Two out group cultivars were clearly differentiated from others by original chemical compositions, in agreement with their hybrid origin.

International audience; The chemical composition of 45 essential oil samples isolated from the leaves of Polyalthia oliveri harvested in three Ivoirian forests was investigated by GC-FID (retention indices measured on two columns of different polarities), and by 13 C-NMR, following a method developed in our laboratory. In total, 41 components were identified. The content of the main components varied drastically from sample to sample: ( E)-b-caryophyllene (1.2–50.8%),a-humulene (0.6–47.7%), isoguaiene (0–27.9%), alloaromadendrene (0–24.7%), germacrene B (0–18.3%),d-cadinene (0.4–19.3%), and b-selinene(0.2–18.5%). The analysis of six oil samples selected in function of their chromatographic profiles is reported in detail. The 45 oil compositions were submitted to hierarchical cluster and principal components analysis, which allowed the distinction of three groups within the oil samples. The compositions of the oils from group I (15 samples) and II (12 samples) were dominated by (E)-b-caryophyllene and a-humulene, respectively. Oil samples of group III (18 samples) needed to be partitioned into four subgroups III.1–III.4 whose compositions were dominated by alloaromadenrene, isoguaiene, germacrene B, and d-cadinene, respectively.

One oil sample isolated from aerial parts of Pulicaria mauritanica Coss. from Western Algeria has been analyzed by GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C NMR. In total, 21 components, accounting for 97.0% of the oil, were identified. Then, 36 oil samples coming from plants harvested at two flowering periods in three locations were analyzed by GC(RI) and 13C NMR. Although all the oil samples exhibited similar composition, dominated by carvotanacetone (89.2–96.1%), the yield of essential oil varied drastically from sample to sample (0.35–1.44%), depending on the location of harvest. The essential oil displayed moderate antimicrobial effect against bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi (MIC = 2–4 μL/mL).

The chemical composition of the volatile oil extracted from aerial parts (twigs, leaves and flowers) of Michelia foveolata growing wild in Vietnam was investigated by combination of column chromatography, GC (retention indices), GC–MS and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Fifty-eight components were identified, with sabinene (32.4%) and terpinen-4-ol (13.7%) as the main constituents. The essential oil was tested against 11 bacteria using the agar disc diffusion method, and exhibited a significant antibacterial activity against Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus (MICs = 2–4 µl/ml). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The essential oil of Doronicum corsicum L. (Asteraceae), an endemic species from Corsica, has been studied by GC, GC–MS(EI and CI), 1H- and 13C-NMR; 129 components were identified, representing 80.4% of the total amount. The essential oil was dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (38.2%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (36.7%). The major components were modhephene (11.6%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (9.8%), 10-isobutyryloxy-8,9-epoxythymyl angelate (9.9%) and thymyl angelate (8.7%). The structures of the two thymol derivatives, the 13C-NMR data of four other thymol derivatives and the chemical composition of the essential oil of D. corsicum were reported for the first time. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The genus Myrtus L. (Myrtaceae family) comprises two species, Myrtus communis L. (known as common myrtle) growing wild all around the Mediterranean basin and Myrtus nivellei Batt. and Trab. (known as Saharan myrtle), found in central Sahara. Only one country, Algeria, hosts both species, M. communis in the North and M. nivellei in the South. The aim of this review was to collect, summarize, and compare the main results reported relative to the essential oils isolated from aerial parts of both species: botanical aspects, habitat, traditional use, chemical composition, new compounds, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effect, and insecticidal activity. Both essential oils have potential applications in human health.

The objective was to investigate the yield and chemical composition of 50 essential oil samples isolated from leaves and flowers of Tetraclinis articulata harvested in eight locations (coastal township and highlands) of Tlemcen Province (North-Western Algeria). Essential oil yields varied drastically from sample to sample (0.03 to 0.86%, w/w). No direct correlation was observed between the yield and the altitude of the harvest areas. The oils consisted mainly of monoterpenes: α-pinene (9.2–56.5%), bornyl acetate (1.2–45.1%), camphor (0.5–40.3%), borneol (0.2–12.9%), limonene (3.6–12.5%), and myrcene (1.6–9.7%). Sesquiterpenes were represented by germacrene D (up to 14.2%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (up to 13.3%). PCA analysis of the data allowed the distinction of two groups within the samples. The composition of group I (9 samples) was dominated by camphor, (Mean = 30.9%) followed by α-pinene (M = 19.1%) and bornyl acetate (M = 11.4%). Group II was divided into two sub-groups. Samples of sub-group IIA (8 samples) contained mainly α-pinene (M = 45.4%). Samples of the largest group IIB (33 samples) were characterized by similar contents of α-pinene (M = 28.2%) and bornyl acetate (M = 24.5%) and the occurrence of camphor to a lesser extent (M = 10.0%).

The composition of the essential oil isolated from cones of Pinus halepensis grown in Corsica has been investigated by a combination of chromatographic (CC, GC) and spectroscopic (MS, 13C NMR) techniques. In total, 48 compounds that accounted for 95.5% of the whole composition have been identified. α-Pinene (47.5%) was the major component followed by myrcene (11.0%), ( E)-β-caryophyllene (8.3%) and caryophyllene oxide (5.9%). Various diterpenes have been identified by 13C NMR in the fractions of CC. Fifteen oil samples isolated from cones harvested in three forests have been analyzed and two groups of similar importance have been differentiated within the 15 compositions. Oil samples of the first group contained α-pinene (mean 45.0 g/100 g, SD = 5.5) as the major component. The composition of samples of the second group was dominated by myrcene (mean 30.3 g/100g, SD = 9.0) and α-pinene (mean 24.6 g/100 g, SD = 3.1).

The composition of 27 samples of berry oil and 54 samples of leaf oil of Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus from Corsica was investigated by GC, GC-MS and 13C-NMR. The main constituents were terpene hydrocarbons, especially alpha-pinene, myrcene and germacrene D in the oils from berries and alpha-pinene, beta-phellandrene and Delta3-carene in the oils from leaves. The results of the analyses were submitted to k-means partitioning and principal component analysis, which allowed the distinction of two compositions in the berry oils (differentiated by the contents of alpha-pinene, myrcene and germacrene D) and in the leaf oils (differentiated by the contents of alpha-pinene, beta-phellandrene and Delta3-carene). (Z)-6-Pentadecen-2-one, an unusual alkenone present in several samples of leaf oil, was identified using 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The root oil of Fokienia hodginsii from Vietnam was submitted, after fractionation over silica gel, to a combined analysis by GC-RI, GC-MS and 1 3 C-NMR. Forty hydrocarbons and 19 oxygenated compounds, mostly sesquiterpenes, were identified. (E)-Nerolidol and fokienol were the major components.

Bursera tonkinensis leaf and fruit oil was analysed by GC/RI, GC/MS and 13C-NMR. The main constituents were α-phellandrene (70.1%), β-phellandrene (8.4%) and α-pinene (7.6%). This oil is different to those produced from the majority of Bursera species.

The compositions of the essential oils isolated from leaves and berries of Juniperus navicularis Gand., an endemic species from Portugal, were investigated by GC and GC–MS. Oils from representative samples of populations as well as from individual samples were studied. The oils consisted mainly of monoterpene hydrocarbons (67.1–88.0% and 61.7% for leaf and berry oils, respectively). α -Pinene (6.3–38.0%), limonene (7.0–34.6%), α -phellandrene (2.2–13.1%) and pcymene (4.8–10.3%) were the major constituents of the oils from leaves and β-myrcene (25.8%) and α -pinene (24.4%) the major ones of the oil from berries. No meaningful differences were observed comparing the composition of leaf oils from populations collected at distinct seasons but, within the same season, the range of variation of the major components suggests variability. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) of the compositional data of the oils from individual samples confirms the variability allowing to establish two groups of essential oils differentiated by the content of the major constituents ( α -pinene, limonene, α -phellandrene and E-nerolidol) and the ratios α -pinene/limonene.  2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

International audience; In Algeria, Myrtus communis L. is distributed throughout the Tell Atlas and the coastal regions of Algiers and Constantine. The leaves are used in respiratory disorders, diarrhea and hemorrhoids. The aims of this work were to evaluate the antifungal and anti-inflammatory potential of well characterized essential oils (EO). Since EO can be applied by inhalation, dermal application and oral administration, we used several mammalian cell lines to assess safe bioactive doses. The chemical composition of two samples was investigated by GC–FID, GC–MS and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Monoterpene derivatives are the main compounds: α-pinene (50.8 and 33.6%), 1,8-cineole (21.9 and 13.3%), linalool (2.7 and 14.8%), and linalyl acetate (0.5 and 9.5%). The antifungal evaluation revealed that the oils were more active against Cryptococcus neoformans (yeast) and Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrum (dermatophytes). The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated using an in vitro model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Assessment of cell viability was made through the MTT assay. Both oils were able to significantly inhibit NO production, without affecting cell viability, in concentrations up to 0.64 mg/mL. These promising results, disclose bioactive concentrations of Myrtle essential oils with a safety profile suggesting a potential oral and topical application or use by inhalation.

The chemical composition of Enhydra fluctuans essential oil from Vietnam was investigated by GC/retention indices and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy. Myrcene, limonene, trans- and cis-dihydroperillaldehydes were the major components. This is the first report of the two isomers in nature. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The chemical composition of the essential oil of Piper bavinum was investigated, using a combination of GC (RI), GC/MS and 13C-NMR. The main constituents were bicyclogermacrene (10.6%), globulol (5.7%), ledene (5.1%), α-pinene (4.4%), viridiforol (3.5%), terpinen-4-ol (3.2%) and α-gurjunene (3.0%).

The essential oil of Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr. from Vietnam, was investigated using combination of capillary GC, GC–MS and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy after fractionation by column chromatography. More than 60 compounds, representing 97.4% of the total amount were identified. The main components were α-pinene (23.9%), sabinene (14.9%), terpinen-4-ol (9.0%), β-pinene (7.7%) and p-cymene (5.8%). Carissone, an eudesmane derivative, was identified as a minor component by carbon-13 NMR. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.