Volatile Composition of Gutierrezia sarothrae (Broom Snakeweed) as Determined by Steam Distillation and Solid Phase Microextraction

Abstract

Volatiles of Gutierezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed, snakeweed) were isolated from ground, composite tissues by steam distillation and by solid phase microextraction (SPME), then separated and analyzed by gas chromatography with mass spectral and flame ionization detection. Compounds detected varied in quantity between isolation protocols. In the oil, cryptone (6.4%) and β-eudesmol (5.9%) were the only compounds comprising more than 5% of the chromatographic peak area. In samples prepared by solid-phase microextraction, limonene (10.4%), β-pinene (9.6%), β-eudesmol (8.0%), sabinene (7.8%), cryptone (6.5%), α-pinene (5.5%) and o-cymene (5.2%) accounted for 53% of the extracted volatiles. The results revealed a complex volatile composition from which unique compounds may still be identified.