Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of Five Iranian Bunium Species (B. lurestanicum, B. microcarpum, B. badghayzi, B. wolffi and B. carioides)

Abstract

: The genus Bunium comprised 14 species in Iran, two of them (B. wolfi and B. lurestanicum) are endemic. Among these species, only B. persicum is famous and used in medicinal and nutrition industries. In this research, the essential of five Iranian Bunium species, named B. lurestanicum, B. microcarpum, B. badghayzi, B. wolffi and B. carioides were studied. At first, different parts of these plants were collected from their habitats; if possible the plant parts were separated and then dried. The dried plant materials were subjected to hydro-distillation for obtaining the essential oils. The oils were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography, using flame ionization and mass spectrometric detection. Fifteen compounds were identified in the oil of leaves, flowers and fruits (seeds) of B. lurestanicum at the end of flowering stage. Germacrene D (25.1 %), E- caryophyllene (11.6 %) and bicyclogermacrene (11.5 %) were the main components. 23 components were characterized in the oil of the leaves and flowers of B. microcarpum. Elemicine (21.7 %), germacrene D (12.7 %), (Z)-β-ocimene (12.2 %), limonene (11.8 %) and β-pinene (9.6 %) were the main constituents. 23 components were characterized in the oil of flower and seed of B. wolffi. Germacrene D (30.1 %), β-selinene (11.6 %) and β-pinene (8.1 %) were the main constituents. 16 components were characterized in the oil of the leaves and flowers of B. badghayzi. β-sesquiphellandrene (32.8 %), germacrene D (21.3 %), germacrene B (14.5 %) and E-caryophyllene (7.5 %) were the main constituents. 13 compounds were identified in the seed oil of B. carioides with β-sesquiphellandrene (24.2 %), germacrene D (13.5 %) and germacrene B (13.1 %) as main components.