Volatile flower oils of three genotypes of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.)

The volatile flower oils of three genotypes of rose-scented geranium (Pelar gonium sp.) commercially cultivated at a high altitude (2200 m above MSL) l ocation (Kodaikanal) in India were investigated by GC and GC-MS. Freshly co llected flowers of genotypes 1, 2 and 3 on distillation produced oil yields of 0.32%, 0.34% and 0.50%, respectively. The Rower oil of genotype 1 was r icher in alpha -pinene (1.7%), (Z) and (E)-rose oxides (1.3% and 0.6%), iso menthone (6.8%), citronellol (43.8%), citronellyl formate (20.4%), citronel lyl acetate (1.0%), beta -caryophyllene (2.6%), citronellyl butyrate (2.1%) and citronellyl tiglate (1.9%). The flower oil of genotype 3 was richer in terpinen-4-ol (1.3%), geranyl formate (3.6%), beta -bourbonene (1.2%), alp ha -muurolene (1.3%), geranyl isovalerate (0.9%), 10-epi-gamma -eudesmol (4 .6%) and geranyl tiglate (2.9%). The flower oil of genotype 3 was richer in linalol (7.6%), geraniol (38.6%), geranyl acetate + geranic acid (5.2%), b eta -phenylethyl butyrate (4.6%), 6,9-guaiadiene (2.3%) and alpha -humulene (1.5%). Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.