Abstrakt

The effect of physical factors on chemical composition of the essential oil of Cinnamomum tamala leaves

Shahnaz Sultana, M.Ali, S.H.Ansari, Priyanka Bagri

The essential oil of the fresh leaves of Cinnamomum tamala Nees et Eberm (Lauraceae) of Delhi region was composed predominantly of eugenol (74.4%), isoeugenol (21.1%), acetyl eugenol, β-elemene and ethyl cinnamate. Heating of the oil at 110ºC for 24 hours showed percentage variation slightly. When the oil was exposed to the sunlight for 48 hours isoeugenol (59.4%) was the main constituent while the concentration of eugenol is decreased to 36.7%. Silica gel treated oil showed percentage variation slightly. Treatment of the oilwithUV light for 24 hours and alumina neutral increased the concentration of eugenol to 95.4 and 96.4%, respectively.