Composition of the essential oils of three Cyperus species from Congo

Abstract

Essential oils from underground parts of Cyperus articulatus (L.), Cyperus sp. and Kyllinga brevifolia (S.) were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thirty four (34) components were identified in the oil of C. articulatus. The main components were α-cadinol (12.07%), trans-pinocarveol (9.86%), cyperenone (7.28%), cyperene (6.29%), myrtenol (5.50%), myrtenal (4.90%) and cis-carveol (4.42%). Fifteen (15) components were identified in the oil of Cyperus sp. The main components were farnesol (28.61%), humulene epoxide (12.86%) and caryophyllene oxide (8.96%). Twenty three components were identified in the oil of K. brevifolia with the main components being manoyl oxide (44.08%), β-pinene (13.58%), cyperene (7.63%) and γ-terpineol (7.37%). Only β-pinene and limonene were present in the three species of Cyperaceae. The findings show broad differences in chemical compositions of the essential oils of C. articulatus, Cyperus sp. and K. brevifolia. When compared with previous studies available in literature, it was also noticed that a difference of composition existed for oils of C. articulatus and K. brevifolia of other origins, respectively. Key words: Cyperus articulatus, Cyperus sp., Kyllinga brevifolia, Cyperaceae, essential oil, rhizome.