VOLATILE COMPOUNDS EMITTED FROM FLOWERS AND LEAVES OF BRUGMANSIA X CANDIDA (SOLANACEAE)

The volatile compounds emitted from flowers of Brugmansia x candida Pe rs. were characterized to investigate reports that the floral scent ma y have intoxicating effects. The dominant components were trans-ocimen e (38-52%) and 1,8-cineole (5-19%), while the minor components consist ed of various other terpenoids, benzenoids and indole. The floral scen t was typical of many white flowers. The volatile compounds emitted fr om the leaves were also examined and were found to be mainly terpenoid s. Perillene (14-25%) was the major component and its analogous furano id sesquiterpenoid, dendrolasin, was also present. Volatile tropane al kaloids could not be detected in either the floral or foliar odours, a nd none of the compounds emitted by the flowers are likely to cause in toxicating effects at low exposures.