Abstract
The essential oil of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don (everlasting or Immortelle essential oil) was isolated by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC and GC-MS. Forty four compounds were identified. The main components were α-pinene (12.8%), 2-methyl-cyclohexyl pentanoate (11.1 %), neryl acetate (10.4%), 1,7-di-epi-α-cedrene (6.8%) and other compounds. The oil was fractionated and ester-containing fraction was hydrolysed with KOH/H2SO4. The liberated volatiles were analysed by GC and GC-MS: three phenols and twenty seven volatile carboxylic acids were identified [70% low fatty acids (C2-C5), 15% C10-C12 acids and 15% other acids]. The main acids were acetic acid (24.3%) propanoic acid (17.2%), 2-methylpropanoic acid (11.4%), dodecanoic acid (8.7%), 2-methylbutanoic acid (8.3%), (Z)-2-methylbutenoic acid (5.1%) and decanoic acid (4.6%). With respect to the identified bonded carboxylic acids, the minimal number of esters in the oil was twenty seven, but their overall quantity was probably larger due to different possible combinations of alcohols with acids to form esters. On the other hand, only six main esters were identified in the oil before fractionation and hydrolysis.
Highlights
The genus Helichrysum, belonging to the family of Asteraceae, consists of a few hundred species, widespread throughout the world
The main acids were acetic acid (24.3%) propanoic acid (17.2%), 2-methylpropanoic acid (11.4%), dodecanoic acid (8.7%), 2-methylbutanoic acid (8.3%), (Z)-2-methylbutenoic acid
The yield of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation was 0.21% (w/w) and forty four compounds were identified (Table 1)
Summary
The genus Helichrysum, belonging to the family of Asteraceae, consists of a few hundred species, widespread throughout the world. Their flowers, commonly known as gold-everlasting or eternal flowers, were used in antiquity to make the wreaths to crown idols. Don (everlasting) is a typical Mediterranean plant. The chemical composition of H. italicum essential oil of Greek origin has been investigated [10,11,12]. The chemical composition of the everlasting essential oils from Greece and Croatia are quite different.
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