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Essential oils from Azorean Laurus azorica.
L G Pedro1, P A Santos, J A da Silva
1Centro de Biotenologia Vegetal, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Faculdade de Ciências de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. luis.pedro@fc.ul.pt
Phytochemistry
|May 31, 2001
Summary
Essential oils from Laurus azorica leaves and berries were analyzed. Chemical composition varied between leaf and berry oils, with distinct monoterpene profiles and a unique grouping of leaf oils from S. Jorge island.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Laurus azorica, an endemic Azorean laurel species, is a potential source of valuable essential oils.
- Understanding the chemical variability of its essential oils is crucial for chemotaxonomy and potential applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare the essential oil composition from leaves and unripe berries of Laurus azorica populations across the Azores archipelago.
- To investigate the enantiomeric composition of key monoterpenes to identify potential population-specific markers.
Main Methods:
- Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed for detailed chemical analysis.
- Cluster analysis was used to evaluate the enantiomeric composition of alpha- and beta-pinene.
Main Results:
- Monoterpenes dominated both leaf (60-94%) and berry (60-94%) oils. Leaf oils were rich in alpha-pinene and 1,8-cineole, while berry oils featured trans-beta-ocimene and alpha-pinene.
- Sesquiterpenes (3-17%) and phenylpropanoids (up to 17%, notably trans-cinnamyl acetate) were also identified.
- Cluster analysis revealed two distinct groups in leaf oils based on the enantiomeric composition of alpha- and beta-pinene, correlating with geographic origin (S. Jorge island).
Conclusions:
- Laurus azorica essential oils exhibit significant chemical variability between leaf and berry sources.
- The enantiomeric composition of alpha- and beta-pinene serves as a valuable chemotaxonomic marker, distinguishing populations, particularly those from S. Jorge island.