Chemical composition of the leaf and fruit oils from Grammosciadium platycarpum

The genus Grammosciadium DC. (Apiaceae) is represented in Iran by three species. G. platycarpum is one of these species which is a very strong fragrant herb [1]. A phytochemical review on G. platycarpum showed that the study concerning the chemical constituents of the plant is very limited [2]. Therefore, the aromatic properties of the different parts of G. platycarpum led us to investigate the essential oils of leaves and fruits of the plant.

The leaves and fruits of G. platycarpum were collected from Saveh, Markazi province, Iran. The essential oils of the air dried leaves and fruits were obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Each sample was analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. The volatile compounds of the oils were identified by comparison of their fragmentation patterns in the mass spectra and retention indices with those published in the literature [3] and presented in the WILEY275. L library. The quantification of the components was performed on the basis of their GC/FID peak areas.

The oils yields obtained from the leaves and fruits were 0.5% and 2.0%, respectively. 25 compounds (87.0%) and 16 constituents (96.2%) were identified in the leaf and fruit oils. Linalool (26.1% and 53.9%), (E,E)-α-farnesen (24.1% and 20.4%) and (Z)-β-santalol (10.6% and 10.9%) were the major components in the leaf and fruit oils.

References: 1. Mozaffarian, V. (1983) The Family of Umbelliferae in Iran, Keys and Distribution. Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. Tehran.

2. Sonboli, A. et al. (2005) Z. Naturforsch. 60c: 30–34.

3. Adams, R.P. (1995) Identification of Essential Oil Components by Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectroscopy. Allured Publishing Co. Carol Stream, IL.