Essential oils of Nepeta species growing in Turkey

Essential oils from 22 Nepeta species growing in Turkey have been studied. Results of GC/MS analyses of the essential oils have Shown that four Nepeta species contain 4a alpha -7 alpha -7a alpha -nepetalactone as the major co mponent. 4a alpha -7 alpha -7a beta -Nepetalactone was the main constituent in N. racemosa. Seven Nepeta species contained caryophyllene oxide as the main constituent in their essential oils. 1,8-Cineole/linalool were the maj or components ill the essential oils of six species. beta -Pinene, alpha -t erpineol, germacrene-D, and spathulenol were the main constituents in the e ssential oils from N. phyllochlamys, N. viscida, N. sorgerae, and N. tracho nitica, respectively.