THE ESSENTIAL OIL COMPOSITION OF CUNILA-MICROCEPHALA AND CUNILA-FASCICULATA

The essential oils of cultivated and wild-growing Cunila microcephala and C. fasciculata from southern Brazil were analysed by GC, GC-mass s pectrometry and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. The main constituent in both sp ecies was found to be menthofuran (82.3-85.1% in C. microcephala and 7 1.6-76.4% in C. fasciculata). Other compounds in significant amounts w ere limonene (2.1-3.8% in C. microcephala and 8.6-11.2% in C. fascicul ata) and beta-caryophyllene (3.3-3.9% in C. microcephala and 3.5-4.2% in C. fasciculata). The chemotaxonomic and toxicologic aspects of ment hofuran accumulation are discussed. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd.