Germacrenes in citrus peel oils

The germacrene composition of various citrus peel oils was investigated. De tection and quantification of the, thermally sensitive germacrenes A and C was achieved by, employing extremely gentle CC conditions vith 100 degreesC maximum in injector and GC-oven. Germacrene A was found in all analyzed ci trus oils with values from trace level to 0.46% of the volatiles, depending on variety and provenance. Germacrene C was identified in the peel oils of bergamot, bitter orange, lime, Minneola, Ortanique tangor, pummelo, Sweeti e, tangerine and Yuzu with values of 0.01-0.59%. in this context, germacren e C always occurred accompanied by germacrene B. Germacrene D was present i n all citrus peel oils, with the exception of lemon, whereas bicylogermacre ne was a constituent of all examined citrus oils, except for lime. Distille d lime oil as acidic steam distillate possesses a special position, as it c ontained only, germacrene B.