Composition of the essential oil of Nepeta betonicifolia C.A. Meyer (Lamiaceae) from Turkey

Journal of Essential Oil Research: JEOR, May/Jun 2003 by Senatore, Felice, Ozcan, Musa

Abstract

The essential oil of Nepeta betonicifolia L. (Lamiaceae) grown in Turkey obtained by hydrodistillation of aerial parts was analyzed by GC/MS. Thirty-four compounds were identified constituting 89.6% of the oil, the major components being linalool (40.5%), 1,8-cineole (20.8%), and caryophyllene oxide (9.2%). No nepetalactones were found as oil constituents.

Key Word Index

Nepeta betonicifolia, Lamiaceae, essential oil composition, linalool, 1,8 cineole, caryophyllene oxide.

Plant Name

Nepeta betonicifolia C. A. Meyer (Lamiaceae); local name: kedi nanesi.

Source

The aerial parts were collected from the Icel area, southern Turkey, at sea level, in July 1999. Plant material was identified by the Botany Department, Selquk University, Konya. A voucher specimen (GM2) has been deposited in the Herbarium of the Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Food Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.

Plant Part

The aerial parts of N. betonicifolia C.A. Meyer were airdried and subjected to hydrodistillation according to the standard procedure described in the European Pharmacopoeia (1) using a Clevenger-type apparatus to produce oil in a 1.9% yield. The oil was dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and stored under nitrogen until required.

Previous Work

The genus Nepeta is represented in Turkey by 33 species (2). The main components of Nepeta ssp. of Turkish origin are: caryophyllene oxide (3-5), 1,8-cineole (6) and nepetalactones (7). The oil of N. betonicifolia collected from Sivas Taslidere (Turkey) (5) at an altitude of ca. 1,400 m was characterized by high content of caryophyllene oxide (39.2%).

Present Work

The oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. GC analyses were performed using a Perkin-Elmer Sigma-115 gas chromatograph with a data handling system and FID. The analysis was carried out using a DB-5 fused-silica column (30 iri x 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 mum). The operating conditions were: injector and detector temperature, 250 deg C and 285 deg C, respectively; carrier gas, He; oven temperature program, 5 min isothermal at 40 deg C, subsequently at 2 deg C/main up to 260 degC and then held isothermally at 260 deg C for 20 min. GC/MS analysis was performed using a Hewlett-Packard 5890 A apparatus, equipped with an HP-I fused-silica column (30 in x 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.33 mum), linked on line with an HP Mass Selective Detector (MSD 5970 HP); ionization voltage 70 eV, electron multiplier energy 2000 V Gas chromatographic conditions were as given above; transfer line temperature, 295 deg C. The identification of oil components was established from their GC retention times (8), by comparing their MS spectra with those reported in literature (9,10), and by computer matching with the NIST 98 and Wiley 5 libraries, as well as, whenever possible, co-injections with authentic compounds available in our laboratories. The volatile constituents were listed in Table I in order of their elution from the HP-1 fusedsilica column. Among 34 compounds identified, linalool (40.5%), 1,8 cineole (20.8%), caryophyllene oxide (9.2%) and linalool oxides in the furanoid form (cis- 1.7% and trans2.3%) were the major constituents.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Perihan Ozcan for the collection of the plant material. F. Senatore conducted this research with a PRIN grant front the Ministero della Ricerca Scientifica e Tectnologica (Italy). The GC and GC/MS spectra were performed at the "C.R.A. S." of the University "Federico 11" Napoli. The assistance of the staff is gratefully appreciated.

References

1. European Pharmacopoeia 3th Ed., p. 121, Council of Europe, Strasbourg (1997).

2. C. Hedge and J. M. Lamond, In: Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands. Edit., P. H. Davis, Vol. 7, p. 264. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh (1982).

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Nepeta cilicia Boiss. Flavour Fragr. J., 12, 99-101 (1997).

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6. G. Kokdil, S. Kurucu and G. Top;u, Chemical Constituents of the Essential oils of Nepeta italica L. and Nepeta sulfuriflora P. H. Davis. Flavour Fragr. J., 12, 33-35 (1997).

7. G. Kbkdil, S. Kurucu and G. Top,u, Composition of the Essential oil of Nepeta nude L. spp. albiflore (Boiss.) Gams. Flavour Fragr. J., 11, 1679 (1996).

8. N. W. Davies, Gas chromatographic retention indices of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes on methyl silicone an Carbowax 20M phases. J. Chromatogr., 503,1-24 (1990).

9. R.P.Adams, Identification ofEssentialOilbylon Trap Mass Spectroscopy, Academy Press, San Diego (1989).

10. W. Jennings and T. Shibamoto, Qualitative Analysis of Flavor and Fragrance Volatiles by Glass Capillary Gas Chromatography. Academy Press, New York (1980).

Felice Senatore*