Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils from (Berries, Leaves and Twigs) of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. Growing Wild in Lebanon

Abstract

:The chemical composition of the water-distilled and free solvent (milestone) oils from several samples of cones (berries), leaves and twigs of Lebanese Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. collected during two consecutive years were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Thirty constituents were identified and accounted for 89.4-99.5 % of the total oil. The main component in the leaves, cones and twigs of the oil was α-pinene which accounted for 6.9 to 68.9; 78.3 to 89.8 and 75 to 95.2 % respectively in leaves, twigs and berries; we note here that big differences in α-pinene content in leaves were observed according to the year and distillation method: 6.9-27.7 (Leaves Milestone 2010), 30.6-49.5 (Leaves Clevenger 2010) and 52.8-68.8 (Leaves Clevenger 2011). The major component was followed by δ-3-carene whose respective amounts were of 3.3 to 22.1 in the leaves; 1.1 to 2.6 in the twigs and 0.9 to 2.4 in the berries and α-cedrol (8.7 to 57.0 in the leaves; 1.2 to 8.1 in the twigs and traces to 4.8 in the berries). The highest amounts of α-pinene were in the cones (95.3 %) whereas those of δ-3-carene and α-cedrol were in leaves (respectively 22.2 and 57 %). Their amounts in the different plant organs varied significantly. This study has demonstrated that the essential oils of Juniperus excelsa MB. leaves, cones and twigs exhibit changes in yields and compositions more likely due to the growth or ripening and climatic factors.