A new sesquiterpenoid from tea tree oil residue

Tea tree oil is an essential oil from Melaleuca alternifolia with a fresh camphoraceous odor. It is widely used in low concentrations in cosmetics and skin washes, and shows some promise as an antimicrobial. However, no phytochemical investigations on tea tree oil residue have been reported. A new sesquiterpenoid, eleven known sesquiterpenoids, together with five known monoterpenes, were isolated from tea oil residue. Structure elucidation of the new compound was achieved by spectroscopic data analyses. Seventeen compounds were isolated from tea oil residue.