VARIATION STUDIES ON THE VOLATILE OIL OF EUGENIA UNIFLORA

Abstract

The volatile oil content of the leaves of Eugenia uniflora L. growing in Nigeria was found to be between 0.63-1.09%v/w. From this study, the species is considered an economic source of the oil. The volatile oil content was highest at flowering of the plant and lowest at fruiting. The morphological part of the plant, stage of growth, time and season of collection of the leaves were found to be important factors that determine the amount of the oil produced. Also conditions for storage of the oil and its commercial exploitation were studied.


Keywords: Eugenia uniflora, Myrtaceae, volatile oil, variation


Nig. J. Nat. Prod. And Med. Vol.1 1997: 28-31