Composition of the essential oils from galls and aerial parts of Pistacia lentiscus L.

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the galls and the aerial parts of Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) was analyzed by G C/MS. Among the 58 constituents identified (representing 82.8% of the oil c omposition) sesquiterpene hydrocarbons predominated (ca. 47%), beta-caryoph yllene (13.1%), delta-cadinene (8.1%) and Germacrene D (6.8%) being the maj or components. Although galls and oils of the aerial parts were similar fro m a qualitative viewpoint, the latter oil was somewhat more complex (73 com ponents identified, accounting for 85.4% of the oil) and the monoterpene hy drocarbons fraction (ca. 35%) was now dominant in the oil, alpha-pinene (13 .0%), beta-caryophyllene (6.9%), limonene and beta-phellandrene (5.4%), bet a-pinene (4.9%) and p-cymene (4.7%) being the main components.