Chemical Diversity Of Essential Oils Research Articles

Multivariate Analysis of Essential Oil Composition of Artemisia annua L. Collected from Different Locations in Korea.

Artemisia annua L. is distributed throughout the world and it is an important medicinal plant in Korea to treat various human diseases. Recently, A. annua has also been considered to be an effective ethnobotanical drug against COVID-19. A. annua contains an appreciable amount of essential oil with different biological properties. However, the composition of essential oils in aromatic plants can be varied depending on several factors, including geographic, genetic, ecological, etc. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the chemical diversity of essential oils of Korean A. annua collected from different locations in Korea by multivariate analysis. For this purpose, the seeds of A. annua were collected from 112 different locations in Korea and were grown under the same environmental conditions. Except for nine individuals which decayed during the cultivation, essential oils were isolated from the aerial parts of 103 A. annua individuals (AEOs) using the steam distillation extraction method, and their chemical compositions were determined by GC-MS analysis. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis was performed to distinguish the difference between 103 individuals of A. annua based on their essential oil compositions. The yield of A. annua essential oils ranged from 0.04 to 1.09% (v/w). Based on the GC-MS data, A. annua individuals were grouped into six chemotypes such as artemisia ketone, camphor, β-cubebene, eucalyptol, α-pinene, and β-selinene. The multivariate analysis results revealed that Korean A. annua could be largely grouped into three clusters such as artemisia ketone, eucalyptol, and β-selinene. Among 35 components selected for principal component analysis (PCA), PC1, PC2, and PC3 accounted for 82.55%, 8.74%, and 3.62%, respectively. Although all individuals of A. annua were cultivated under the same environmental conditions, there is an intraspecific chemical diversity that exists within Korean native species.

Chemical Diversity of Essential Oils from Aerial Parts of Eight Species of Zingiberaceae Family from Vietnam

The objective of this work was to analyze the content and the chemical diversity of the essential oils from the aerial parts of eight species belonging to Zingiberaceae family collected in Binh Chau-Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve, Vietnam. The essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and their constituents were investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The essential oils from the aerial parts of eight studied species, including Zingiber zerumbet, Zingiber pellitum, Curcuma pierreana, Globba macrocarpa, Globba globulifera, Alpinia conchigera, Stahlianthus campanulatus and Amomum sp. were obtained in a yield of 0.01%, 0.008%, 0.01%, 0.012%, 0.012%, 0.02%, 0.015 and 0.3%, respectively. There were a total of 75 compounds identified from the essential oils obtained from eight studied species. Four main clusters and three subclusters were formed by the cluster analysis. Cluster I consisted of A. conchigera with the presence of β-elemene (51.76%) and caryophyllene (28.1%). Cluster II contained five species, including Z. zerumbet, Z. pellitum, C. pierreana, G. globulifera and S. campanulatus with high concentration of β-pinene (11.81%, 5.32%, 4.43%, 25.42% and 1.57%), caryophyllene (13.61%, 23.45%, 19.78%, 34.26% and 18.72%), caryophyllene oxide (4.66%, 4.00%, 13.65%, 8.15% and 24.69%). Cluster III consisted of G. macrocarpa, and presented 4-isobutylquinoline (24.43%), β-copaene (21.69%), α-farnesene (20.73%), 2-tert-butylquinoline (6.05%), 3-Dihydroxydiphenylamine (5.47%), β-panasinsene (5.13%) as major compounds. Cluster IV contained Amomum sp. and had eucalyptol (25.22%), camphor (24.51%), camphene (14.57%), β-pinene (13.45%), Isoborneol (9.17%), α-Selinene (6.21%) as main constituents. The present study identified a total of 75 compounds of the essential oils from the aerial parts of eight species of the Zingiberaceae family collected in Binh-Chau_Phuoc-Buu Nature Reserve, Southern Vietnam. Four main clusters and three subclusters were formed by the cluster analysis. Cluster I consisted of A. conchigera with the presence of β-elemene (51.76%) and caryophyllene (28.1%). Cluster II contained five species, including Z. zerumbet, Z. pellitum, C. pierreana, G. globulifera and S. campanulatus with high concentration of β-pinene (11.81%, 5.32%, 4.43%, 25.42% and 1.57%), caryophyllene (13.61%, 23.45%, 19.78%, 34.26% and 18.72%), caryophyllene oxide (4.66%, 4.00%, 13.65%, 8.15% and 24.69%). Cluster III consisted of G. macrocarpa, and presented 4-isobutylquinoline (24.43%), β-copaene (21.69%), α-farnesene (20.73%), 2-tert-butylquinoline (6.05%), 3-dihydroxydiphenylamine (5.47%), β-Panasinsene (5.13%) as major compounds. Cluster IV contained Amomum sp. and had eucalyptol (25.22%), camphor (24.51%), camphene (14.57%), β-pinene (13.45%), isoborneol (9.17%), α-selinene (6.21%) as main constituents.

Variations in the Chemical Composition of Essential Oils in Native Populations of Korean Thyme, Thymus quinquecostatus Celak.

The genus Thymus (Lamiaceae) contains numerous medicinally important species. Among them, Thymus quinquecostatus Celak. has been extensively utilized as a traditional medicine and a food flavoring agent in the Korean peninsula, owing to its unique aroma. In particular, T. quinquecostatus has been used for the treatment of gastroenteritis, inflammation, stomach problems, liver disease, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, and menstrual problems. This study aimed to investigate the chemical diversity of essential oils among 103 Korean native populations of T. quinquecostatus. For this purpose, seedlings of T. quinquecostatus populations were purchased from different regions in the Korean Peninsula, and seedlings were grown in the experimental field under the same environmental conditions. The chemical compositions of steam-distilled essential oils were determined using GC-MS. In total, 212 components were identified from 103 populations of T. quinquecostatus. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed in order to understand variations in the essential oil compositions among 103 Korean native populations of T. quinquecostatus. According to the essential oil compositions, 30 components were selected for PCA. Based on the most abundant essential oil components, four chemotypes were identified in T. quinquecostatus populations. PCA and cluster analyses revealed that 103 individuals of T. quinquecostatus could be classified into four clusters, such as thymol, geraniol, geranyl acetate, and linalool. Furthermore, dendrogram construction demonstrated that geraniol and geranyl acetate, as well as linalool and thymol groups, were closely related. This study suggested the significant chemical polymorphism of essential oils in local populations of T. quinquecostatus in Korea. It could be concluded that the intraspecific variations in the essential oil compositions may be associated with genetic diversity among the individuals.

Chemical Diversity of Essential Oils from Korean Native Populations of Agastache rugosa (Korean Mint).

Agastache rugosa (baechohyang) is one of the most important aromatic plants native to the Republic of Korea. A. rugosa fragrance has been used to prepare incense since the Goryeo Dynasty in Korea. The present study aimed to explore the variation in the composition of essential oils from A. rugosa among native populations in Korea. The seeds of A. rugosa were collected from 90 different sites in Korea and seedlings were raised in the nursery. Essential oils were extracted from these populations by the steam distillation extraction method and their chemical compositions were analyzed by GC-MS. The yield of essential oils of A. rugosa ranged between 0.11% and 0.86%. A total of 204 components were identified from 90 populations of A. rugosa. Out of 204 components, 32 components were common in more than 40 individuals of A. rugosa and these 32 components were selected for principal component analysis (PCA). On the basis of the essential oil compositions, six chemotypes—estragole, pulegone, methyl eugenol, menthone, isopulegone, and nepetalactone—were distinguished according to their major components. As a result of the cluster analysis, 90 individuals of A. rugosa could be classified into three groups: estragole, methyl eugenol, and pulegone. A. rugosa exhibited significant chemical diversity among the individuals. The distribution of chemotypes is associated with the collection of seeds, suggesting that genetic diversity may influence the variations in the chemical compositions and concentrations within the species. This chemical diversity serves as the background to select cultivars for the cultivation and industrial applications of A. rugosa cultivars with high essential oil yield and concentration of its chemical components.

Chemical diversity of essential oils of rhizomes of six species of Zingiberaceae family

In this study, the essential oils from the rhizomes of six species belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, including Zingiber zerumbet, Curcuma pierreana, Globba macrocarpa, Alpinia conchigera, Stahlianthus campanulatus and Amomum sp., collected in Binh Chau-Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve were isolated using hydrodistillation, and their constituents were identified via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. A total of 91 constituents have been identified from essential oils. These compounds were classified into 4 clusters by Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) analysis. The principal constituents of the essential oils isolated from four species, C. pierreana, S. campanulatus, A. conchigera, and Z. zerumbet contained camphene (18.82%), α-copaene (11.75%), p-xylene (21.86%), and α-santalene (17.91%), which were significantly different from those in previous reports. Furthermore, this study revealed the chemical constituents of essential oils of G. macrocarpa and Amomum sp. for the first time. Accordingly, artemisia triene (22.21%), β-pinene (13.57%), 4,6,8-trimethylazulene (11.1%), 2-tert-butylquinoline (9.86%), β-patchoulene (7.06%), α-elemene (6.93%), and β-ocimene (6.0%) were the major compounds in essential oils of G. macrocarpa rhizomes whereas the oil of Amomum sp. was found to be rich in 2-carene (21.82%), fenchyl acetate (14.26%), 3-carene (8.28%), bornyl acetate (7.7%), and D-limonene (7.13%).

Chemical Diversity and Potential Target Network of Woody Peony Flower Essential Oil from Eleven Representative Cultivars (Paeonia × suffruticosa Andr.).

Woody peony (Paeonia × suffruticosa Andr.) has many cultivars with genetic variances. The flower essential oil is valued in cosmetics and fragrances. This study was to investigate the chemical diversity of essential oils of eleven representative cultivars and their potential target network. Hydro-distillation afforded yields of 0.11–0.25%. Essential oils were analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID which identified 105 compounds. Three clusters emerged from multivariate analysis, representative of phloroglucinol trimethyl ether (‘Caihui’), citronellol (‘Jingyu’, ‘Zhaofen’ and ‘Baiyuan Zhenghui’) and mixed (the rest of the cultivars) chemotypes. ‘Zhaofen’ and ‘Jingyu’ also exhibited low levels of other rose-related compounds. The main components were subjected to a target network approach. Drug-likeness screening gave 20 compounds with predictive blood–brain barrier permeation. Compound target network identified six key compounds, namely nerol, citronellol, geraniol, geranic acid, cis-3-hexen-1-ol and 1-hexanol. Top enriched terms in GO, KEGG and DisGeNET were mostly related to the central nervous system (CNS). Protein—protein interactions revealed a core network of 14 targets, 11 of which were CNS-related (targets for antidepressants, analgesics, antipsychotics, anti-Alzheimer’s and anti-Parkinson’s agents). This work provides useful information on the production of woody peony essential oils with specific chemotypes and reveals their potential importance in aromatherapy for alternative treatment of CNS disorders.

Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oils, and Their Combinations, Obtained from Flavedo By-Product of Seven Cultivars of Sicilian Citrus aurantium L.

In this work, seven Citrus aurantium essential oils (EOs) derived from flavedo of cultivars ‘Canaliculata’, ‘Consolei’, ‘Crispifolia’, ‘Fasciata’, ‘Foetifera’, ‘Listata’, and ‘Bizzaria’ were investigated. EOs were also combined in 1:1 (v/v) ratio to identify possible synergism or antagonism of actions. GC-MS analysis was done to investigate Eos’ phytochemical profiles. The antioxidant activity was studied by using a multi-target approach based on FRAP, DPPH, ABTS, and β-carotene bleaching tests. A great difference was observed in EOs’ phytochemical profiles. d-limonene (33.35–89.17%) was the main monoterpene hydrocarbon, and α-Pinene, β-myrcene, and β-linalool were identified in almost all samples. Among EOs, only C3 showed high quantitative and qualitative variability in its chemical composition. The chemical diversity of EOs was also demonstrated by PCA and HCA statistical analysis. Samples C2, C4, C5, C6, and C7 were statistically similar to each other, while C1 and C3 were characterized as having a different amount of other compounds and oxygenated monoterpenes, respectively, with respect to the other EOs mentioned. The global antioxidant score (GAS) revealed that among the tested EOs, C. aurantium ‘Fasciata’ EO had the highest antioxidant potential, with a GAS value of −0.47, whereas among combinations, the EO obtained by mixing ‘Canaliculata’ + ‘Bizzaria’ was the most active. Comparison by theoretical and real data on inhibitory concentration (IC50) and FRAP values did not reveal any significant effect of synergism or antagonism of actions to be valid in all biological applied tests. These findings, considered together, represent an important starting point to understand which compounds are responsible for the activities and their future possible industrial application.

Chemical Diversity of Essential Oils from Different Organs of the Moroccan Endemic Medicinal Plant Anvillea garcinii subsp. radiata

Anvillea gracinii subsp. radiata is an endemic medicinal plant mainly distributed in south-eastern Morocco. The aim of the study was to extract the essential oils from separated organs (leaves, flowers, stems) and unseparated organs (aerial parts) by hydrodistillation and they were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC/FID) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The essential oil yields varied significantly according to plant organ, and are 0.65% for the flowers, 0.54% for the aerial parts, 0.43% for the leaves and 0.09% (w/w) for the stems. A total of 46 compounds were identified, including 35, 22, 20 and 19 components in the essential oils obtained from the whole plant, leaves, flowers and stems respectively. The main constituents of the aerial part and flower oils were cis 8-acetoxychrysantenyl acetate (30.8% and 45.7%, respectively) and cis-chrysanthenyl acetate (15.5% and 12.6%, respectively), while 6-oxocyclonerolidol and 6-hydroxcyclonerolidol were found to be major compounds in the leaves (72.7% and 9.5%, respectively) and stems (51.6% and 12.2%, respectively) essential oils. To the best of our knowledge, this present paper describes for the first time the comparative chemical composition of the essential oils from different vegetative organs of this species.

Chemical diversity of essential oils from the Brazilian medicinal plant Lychnophora pinaster Mart from different environments

Lychnophora pinaster Mart. (arnica-mineira) is an endangered popular Brazilian medicinal species with occurrence restricted to the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The species inhabits areas with different soil and climate conditions, which may affect the chemical composition of essential oils. The plant is frequently cited for its anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and other biological activities. Previous works in a restricted area report a predominance of phenylpropanoids compounds in its essential oil composition. Due to the potential economic use as a phytomedicine and the limited geographic coverage of previous studies, this research aimed to analyze the essential oil of populations from different regions and the influence of the soil on the essential oil chemical composition. Six populations of two regions were analyzed: Diamantina (DIMa), Olhos D’Água (OD) and Grão Mogol (GM), from the North, and Caeté/Rio Acima (CTRA), Nova Lima/Serra da Calçada (NLSC) and Serra da Moeda (SM), from the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte. Soil analyses revealed differences between the soils. Diamantina (DIMa) and Serra da Moeda (SM) presented the highest essential oil yield among populations (0.12 %), while the smallest was observed for NLSC, with 0.04 %. There was no difference in yield between regions. Principal component analysis demonstrated the diversity of chemical profiles between populations. For the northern region, the major substances were α-pinene (12 %) for GM; 14-acetoxy-α-humulene, (21.9 %) for DIMa and 14-hydroxy-4,5-dehydro-caryophyllene and squamulose (9.13 % and 8.30 %, respectively) for OD. For the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, the substances with higher levels were sesquiterpene 1 (35.16 %) and sesquiterpene 7 (8.13 %) for MS; 1,7-diepi-a-cedrenal (6.46 %), (Z)-nerolidol (12.60 %), sesquiterpene 2 (14.62 %) in CTRA. Olhos D’Água (OD) registered as the major an unidentified compound (38.46 %). Diamantina, Olhos D’Água and Nova Lima/Serra da Calçada showed chemical similarity, although they belong to different regions of the state, distant by 273 km. Grão Mogol (GM), Serra da Moeda (SM) and Caeté/Rio Acima (CTRA) did not show chemical similarity to each other or to the others. The populations differed for the chemical composition and soil characteristics. The multivariate analysis indicated that certain compounds and nutrients of the soil were simultaneously relevant for population differentiation. The chemical diversity found in L. pinaster essential oils of different regions with predominance of sesquiterpenes may affect the biological activities.

Chemical diversity of essential oils of Myrtaceae species and their insecticidal activity against Rhyzopertha dominica

Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) is one of the main stored grain pests in the world. The present study describes the investigation of the insecticidal activity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from the leaves of twelve Myrtaceae species against this important pest. The essential oils of Eucalyptus resinifera Sm. (Myrtaceae) were the most actives and presented 1,8-cineole (59.3%), p-cymene (12.9%), and α-pinene (9.7%) as the main components. Contact bioassays revealed that the EOs of E. resinifera were less toxic (LD50 = 17.08 μg mg−1 of insect body weight; LD95 = 56.17 μg mg−1) than the commercial insecticide pirimiphos-methyl (LD50 = 0.49 μg mg−1; LD95 = 1.14 μg mg−1) used as positive control. In the fumigation bioassays, however, these EOs were more effective (LC50 = 70.55 μL L−1, LC95 = 266.40 μL L−1) than the commercial insecticide (LC50 = 154.74 μL L−1; LC95 = 334.95 μL L−1). The LT50 on R. dominica adults for the EOs of E. resinifera were 1.75 h and 13.0 h in the contact and fumigation bioassays, respectively. The fumigant effect was due to the terpenoid 1,8-cineole, while the contact effect was caused by the association of the major components of the essential oils of E. resinifera. Thus, the EOs of E. resinifera have potential to be used as an alternative to commercial insecticides in R. dominica management.

Chemical diversity of essential oils of Lantana camara L. native populations

ABSTRACTThe aim of this work was to analyse the chemical diversity of Lantana camara L. essential oils of native populations from Northeast Brazil. A total of 105 plants were collected in twenty-one municipalities from the state of Sergipe. The essential oil content ranged from 0.1% to 0.5%. Twenty-nine compounds and seven chemical clusters were identified and characterised by different numbers of plants and major compounds. E-caryophyllene (4.1–53.4%), germacrene D (2.8–48.3%), bicyclogermacrene (0.0–18.9%), α-humulene (0.7–39.0%) and α-curcumene (24.9–34.3%) were found in higher amounts and formed the chemical clusters. Results revealed chemical variability among L. camara native populations from Northeast Brazil. This knowledge was fundamental for the implantation of a collection of L. camara in the Active Germplasm Bank of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Federal University of Sergipe and will allow studies on the potential biological activities of the essential oil from conserved plants.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of a Croton tetradenius Baill. germplasm

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to characterize the chemical diversity of essential oils of 37 Croton tetradenius plants grown in municipalities of the state of Sergipe, Brazil, as well as evaluate their antibacterial activities. Twenty-five compounds were identified in the essential oils of C. tetradenius, and low chemical variation was observed among the plants studied. Monoterpenes, such as α-pinene, α-terpinene, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, trans-pinocarveol, camphor, pinocarvone, cis-ascaridole and trans-ascaridole were detected as major compounds. The Cluster Analysis revealed two different clusters. The antibacterial activity of the essential oils was tested against Bacillus cereus ATCC 4504, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 8095, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC7644, Salmonella thyphimurium ATCC 14,028, and Escherichia coli ATCC 23,226. The minimum inhibitory concentration varied from 7.81 to 125 µL/mL for E. coli and the other species, respectively. The knowledge of the chemical diversity of the essential oil of native plants of C. tetradenius may encourage further studies on the potential use of these and other metabolites and help the adoption of strategies for the conservation of this medicinal species.

Chemical diversity of essential oils from native populations of Eplingiella fruticosa

Abstract The objective of this work was to analyze the content and the chemical diversity of the essential oil (EO) of 22 Eplingiella fruticosa plants collected in Sergipe, Brazil. EOs were obtained from dry leaves by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS-FID. The mean EO contents ranged from 0.75 to 1.28%. The compounds found in greater amounts formed two clusters. The first cluster consisted of 15 plants and presented bicyclogermacrene (6.29-16.24%), spathulenol (7.59-15.23%), β-caryophyllene (5.77-12.97%), and caryophyllene oxide (5.00-11.90%) as major compounds. The second cluster consisted of seven plants and had 1,8-cineole (8.96-15.51%), α-pinene (5.46-13.77%), and camphor (4.08-11.40%) as major compounds. Results indicate chemical variability of the EO among E. fruticosa plants from the state of Sergipe. This information may assist in conservation strategies by providing data for investigation of biological activities of EO.

Chemical diversity of essential oils from Hyptis pectinata (L.) Poit

Chemical diversity of essential oils from Hyptis pectinata (L.) Poit

Chemical diversity of essential oils from flowers, leaves, and stems of Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. growing in northern border region of Saudi Arabia

ObjectiveTo evaluate the medicinal uses of Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. (R. epapposum) growing in northern border region of Saudi Arabia, through the chemical diversity of essential oils extracted from its flowers, leaves and stems. MethodsAerial parts of R. epapposum were collected in April 2014. Air dried flowers, leaves, and stems were separately subjected to hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus for 4 h to extract the essential oils. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the essential oils was carried out using an Agilent 6890 gas chromatograph equipped with an Agilent 5973 mass spectrometric detector. ResultsA total of 51 compounds representing 76.35%–94.86% of flowers, leaves and stems oils composition were identified. The chemical profiles of the studied fractions revealed the dominance of monoterpenes, regardless of qualitative and quantitative differences observed. Limonene, linalool, 4-terpineol and α-cadinol represented the major constituents of flowers oil. Leaves oil was dominated by limonene, sabinene, α-pinene and β-myrcene whereas linalool, ionole, α-cadinol, β-eudesmol, 4-terpineol, and α-terpineol were the major constituents of stems oil. ConclusionsEssential oils from flowers, leaves and stems of R. epapposum growing in northern border region of Saudi Arabia are considered as a rich source of monoterpenes which have biological activities.

Chemical Diversity of Essential Oils from Asteriscus graveolens (Forssk.) Less.: Identification of cis‐8‐Acetoxychrysanthenyl Acetate as a New Natural Component

Asteriscus graveolens is an endemic medicinal plant mainly distributed in south-western Algeria and south-eastern Morocco. The essential oils of leaves, stems, and flowers of A. graveolens had been studied by GC, GC/MS, and (13) C-NMR. The spectral data of two nerolidol derivatives, 6-oxo- and 6-hydroxycyclonerolidol, were reassigned by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. These compounds can be considered as chemical markers of this genus. The structure of a monoterpenic diester with a chrysanthenane skeleton, i.e., cis-8-acetoxychrysanthenyl acetate, was determined for the first time on the basis of GC/MS, and 1D- and 2D-NMR. The stem and leaf oils were characterized by high content of oxygenated sesquiterpenes with 6-oxo- and 6-hydroxycyclonerolidol as major components, and the flower essential oils were dominated by the new monoterpenic compound cis-8-acetoxychrysanthenyl acetate.

Leaf Essential Oil Composition of Three Species of Myrcianthes from Monteverde, Costa Rica

To examine the chemical diversity of essential oils from Myrcianthes species (Myrtaceae) as well as potential chemotaxonomic relationships between them, the leaf essential oils of M. fragrans (Sw.) McVaugh, M. rhopaloides (Kunth) McVaugh, and an undescribed species, Myrcianthes 'black fruit', from Monteverde, Costa Rica, were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. The most abundant components of the essential oil of M. fragrans were 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene (15.7%), (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol (10.0%), alpha-cadinol (10.4%), eudesma-4(15),7-dien-1beta-ol (9.0%), caryophyllene oxide (7.8%), and spathulenol (7.5%). The leaf oils of two different samples of Myrcianthes rhopaloides were quantitatively different with one sample composed mostly of linalool (17.7%), alpha-cadinol (14.4%), spathulenol (11.1%), tau-cadinol (9.6%), and 1-epicubenol (6.9%), and the other was made up largely of (E)-hex-2-enal (46.1%), 1,8-cineole (12.5%), linalool (9.1%), alpha-cadinol (6.7%), and alpha-terpineol (4.4%). The major components in the leaf essential oil of Myrcianthes 'black fruit' were 1,8-cineole (38.3%), alpha-terpineol (21.2%), heptan-2-ol (15.5%), terpinen-4-ol (4.2%), and beta-pinene (3.8%). The leaf oil compositions of Myrcianthes in this study are very different from leaf oils from other members of Myrcianthes reported in the literature. A cluster analysis reveals large chemical variation not only between members of the genus, but also between samples of the same species.