VOLATILE LEAF OIL CONSTITUENTS OF OCIMUM AMERICANUM L. OCCURING IN WESTERN KENYA

Abstract

Steam distilled volatile oils from the leaves of Ocimum americanum L. growing in Western Kenya were analysed by GC and GC-MS. A total of 36 compounds, representing a total of 88.51% of the total oil, were identified. The oil was classified as terpinen-4-ol-type according to the terpinen-4-ol content (43.21%). To the best of our knowledge this chemotype of O. americanum has not yet been reported from the East African region. This chemotype of O. americanum has only been reported from Togo. Other notable components include 1,8-cineole (16.13%), α-terpineol (4.01%), trans-caryophyllene (3.06%), α-bergamotene (2.68%) and cis-sabinene hydrate (2.59%). The oil contains mainly oxygenated monoterpenes which accounted for 71.24% of the total oil. The yield obtained was 4% w/w on a dry weight basis.

KEY WORDS: Ocimum americanum, Lamiaceae, Chemotype, Terpinen-4-ol, 1,8-Cineole, µ-Terpineol, trans-Caryophyllene, Kenya


Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2006, 20(1), 177-180.