Azulenes, Costols and Γ-Lactones from Cypress-Pines (Callitris columellaris, C. glaucophylla and C. intratropica) Distilled Oils and Methanol Extracts

Abstract

Azulenes, costols and Γ-lactones extracted from the woods of three Australian cypress-pines, Callitris columellaris, C. glaucophylla and C. intratropica, were investigated using GC and GC/MS. Distilled oils and methanol extracts were compared with each other and with a fourth sample of C. glaucophylla from an area outside of its normal range in northern New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The presence of two azulenes (guaiazulene and chamazulene), cadalene, three costols (α-costol, β-costol and Γ-costol), two methyl isocosticate esters, several isokhusenic acids and many Γ-lactones, was determined by GC/MS. Distilled oils contained less Γ-lactones than the extracts. The oil and extract of C. glaucophylla from NSW is different from a comparison sample of the same species. The distilled oil resembles C. glaucophylla but the extract resembles C. intratropica. The results suggest intraspecific as well as interspecific variation in Callitris volatiles. Total acids could be used to distinguish between C. intratropica and other Callitris species