Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the essential oil composition of Psidium cattleianum var. lucidum from South Africa. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and the components were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil. A total of 53 chemical components were identified, accounting for 61% of the essential oil. The major component was caryophyllene oxide (12.43%), while other predominant constituents were identified as bicyclo(4.4.0)dec-l-ene (6.61%), 2,3-butanediol diacetate (4.84%) and patchoulene (4.73%). The presence of many terpenic and ester compounds is thought to contribute to the unique flavor of the P. cattleianum var. lucidum leaves.

Key words: Psidium cattleianum var. lucidum, essential oil, hydrodistillation, caryophyllene oxide.