Analysis of the essential oil of Artemisia campestris L.

The composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of several populations of Artemisia campestris L. (Asteraceae ), collected from four areas of south-eastern of Tunisia (Bengardane, Benik hdache, Jerba and Tataouine), was analysed by GC-MS. Thirteen to fifteen co mponents were identified in each sample, representing more than 95% of the total oil. All samples were dominated by the presence of beta -pinene (24.2 -27.9%), p-cymene (17.4-22.3%) and alpha -pinene (4.1-11.0%), representing more than 45% of the total oil. The distribution of other components in the different extracts was qualitatively and quantitatively irregular. The var iability of the composition can be attributed to the climatic and geographi cal conditions among areas. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.