GC-MS Analysis of Essential Oil from Long Pepper Growing in Tepi, South-west Ethiopia

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to extract and identify essential oils present in Long pepper by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oil of Long pepper growing in Tepi, Ethiopia, was obtained by hydro distillation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify the component. Five components were identified and eugenol was the major constituent (98.979%) while trans-caryophyllene, (0.643%), Preg-4-ene-3-one (0.149%), Phenol, 2-methoxy-4-(2- propenyl)-, acetate (0.145%), and 1, 3, 6-Octatriene, 3, 7-dimethyl (0.084%) were minor constituents. Eugenol comprises 98.979% of the essential oil extracted from Long pepper, and is the compound most responsible for the Long pepper s’ aroma and
therapeutic effect.