Compositional characteristics of the essential oil of Myrtus communis grown in the central part of Saudi Arabia.

Journal Article

Publication Abstract

The essential oil obtained from aerial parts of Myrtus communis grown in the central part of Saudi Arabia was
analyzed by gas chromatography-based techniques (GC–FID, GC–MS, Co–GC, LRI determination, database, and
literature search) using polar as well as non-polar columns, which resulted in the identification of a total of sixty-five
components accounting for 98.2% of the total oil composition. The oil composition was found to be dominated by
monoterpene components accounting for 89.3% of oil composition. Sesquiterpenes (4.8%) and their oxygenated
derivatives (3.5%) were present in lesser amounts. The major compounds of the oil were 1,8-cineole (26.5%), linalool
(18.0%), α-pinene (11.6%), α-terpineol (8.9%), and limonene (4.0%). Other constituents which were present in
appreciable amounts in this oil are trans-geraniol (3.9%), trans-geranyl acetate (3.9%), α-terpenyl acetate (3.3%),
linalyl acetate (2.9%), and δ-cadinene (2.7%).