Studies on the Volatile Oils of Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) and Phyllanthus amarus Sch. et Thonn (Euphorbiaceae)

Abstract The oils obtained from the aerial shrubs of Momordica charantia L. and Phyllanthus amarus Sch. et Thonn from Nigeria, were analyzed for their constituents by means of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Sixty-three different compounds, amounting to 88.8% of the total oil contents, were identified in the oil of M. charantia. It comprised of (Z)-3-hexenol (34.7%), (E)-2-hexenol (10.1%), and phytol (8.3%) as the major compounds. Linalool (5.8%) was the only monoterpenoid identified in a significant amount. Results from analysis of the oil of P. amarus revealed that eighty-two identified compounds were responsible for 87.6% of the oil content. The “stone-breaker” shrub oil was characterized by the dominance of linalool (36.4%) and phytol (13.0%). Moreover, compounds such as hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (3.4%), pentacosane (2.5%), and naphthalene (2.4%) occurred above 1%.

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