Abstract

The oily fraction of the bark of Syzygium cumini of Indian origin, led to the identification of number of ester and hydrocarbon compounds. The hexane eluate of n-hexane extract of S. cumini yielded a waxy fraction which was rechromatographed on silica gel column. Its hexane eluate yielded waxy liquids, which were small in amount and was not separated by column chromatography. Hence, they were separated by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis which revealed the presence of 39 compounds. The compounds were identified by comparing their retention time and covate indexes with that of literature and by interpretation of mass spectra. Many of them are used in industry for various applications like perfumes, flavors, deodorants, antiseptic, and pharmaceuticals. The aim of the present study was to analyze the hexane extract of the S. cumini bark which was useful for identification of number of hydrocarbons and esters.

Key words: Syzygium cumini (bark), esters, hydrocarbons, gas chromatography mass spectrometry.