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The chemical composition of 33 oil samples isolated from the berries of individual trees of two subspecies of Juniperus oxycedrus L., collected in four locations in Tlemcen and Aïn Temouchent provinces, was investigated by GC-FID, GC/MS and 13 CNMR. In total, 83 compounds were identified, accounting for 85.9 % to 98.6 % of the total composition. Yields ranged between 0.02 and 0.40 % (w/w). All compositions were submitted to statistical analysis. Combination of hierarchical clustering dendrogram and principal component analysis suggested the existence of two groups, the second group being sub-divided into two sub-groups. Groups and sub-groups were distinguished with respect to their contents of α-pinene, germacrene D, myrcene and, to a lesser extent, of manoyl oxide. The chemical composition of the oils belonging to subsp. oxycedrus was largely dominated by monoterpenes. α-Pinene (23.7-63.2 %) and germacrene D (4.5-25.4 %) were the major components, followed by myrcene (3.1-16.7 %). Conversely, samples oils of subsp. macrocarpa were largely dominated by germacrene D (4.4-30.0 %), followed by a lower content of α-pinene (10.0-24.3 %) and myrcene (1.0-4.3 %) and a significant content of manoyl oxide (4.3-9.9 %)., (© 2024 The Authors. Chemistry & Biodiversity published by Wiley-VHCA AG.)

The chemical composition of 71 oil samples from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis L., harvested in three provinces: Naâma (Western Algeria), Béchar and Adrar (Algerian Sahara), was investigated by GC-FID, GC/MS and 13 CNMR. In total, 52 compounds were identified accounting for 88.8 % to 99.9 % of the total composition. The chemical composition of the oils was largely dominated by monoterpenes, with 1,8-cineole (9.7-70.2 %), camphor (0.3-31.0 %) being the major compounds followed by borneol (0.3-21.0 %), α-pinene (4.5-14.5 %), β-pinene (0.1-12.0 %), linalool (0.7-9.9 %) and verbenone (up to 11.1 %) which was present only in the samples harvested in Adrar. All compositions (71 samples) were submitted to statistical analysis. Combination of hierarchical clustering dendrogram and principal component analysis suggested the existence of three groups (one of these being subdivided into two sub-groups) which were distinguished on the basis of 1,8-cineole, camphor and verbenone contents. Four essential oil samples, containing 1,8-cineole and/or camphor as main components, exhibited anti-inflammatory activity against lipoxygenase, with IC 50 values in the range 93 to 155 μg/mL., (© 2024 The Authors. Chemistry & Biodiversity published by Wiley‐VHCA AG.)

Cladanthus scariosus (Ball) Oberpr. & Vogt is endemic to Moroccan High Atlas. It is known under the vernacular names Irezghi or Irezgui. Three essential oil samples have been isolated from aerial parts and analyzed by combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques [gas chromatography (GC) in combination with retention indices (RI), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy]. The compositions of oil samples were dominated by monoterpenes: α-pinene sabinene, and terpinen-4-ol. Chamazulene and dihydrochamazulene isomers as well as various hemiterpene esters and analogs have been identified. To evidence a chemical variability, statistical analysis performed on 13 oil sample compositions allowed partitioning into three groups, mainly differentiated by their contents of sabinene, camphor, borneol, terpinen-4-ol, and germacrene D., (© 2022 The Authors. Chemistry & Biodiversity published by Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Thirty-three oil samples isolated from aerial parts of Myrtus communis L. harvested in seven localities, from Northern to Central Morocco, have been analyzed by combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The 33 compositions have been subjected to statistical analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Two groups have been differentiated on the basis of their myrtenyl acetate and α-pinene contents and each one was sub-divided in two sub-groups according to the contents of 1,8-cineole and linalool. The compositions of our 33 myrtle oil samples may be named as follow by their main components: sub-group IA (13/33): α-pinene/1,8-cineole/linalool; sub-group IB (6/33): 1,8-cineole/α-pinene; sub-group IIA (10/33): 1,8-cineole/myrtenyl acetate; sub-group IIB (4/33): myrtenyl acetate., (© 2021 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Cymbopogon schoenanthus (L.) Spreng. (Poaceae) is an aromatic plant whose aerial parts and rhizome produced an essential oil with pleasant odor. A chemical variability has been observed depending of the countries where the plant grows wild, including Algeria. The chemical compositions of 24 oil samples isolated from plants harvested in Central Algeria have been investigated, to evidence homogeneity or chemical variability within a given area of harvest. Twenty of these were dominated by cis- and trans-p-menth-2-en-1-ols (22.6 %±3.6 and 14.3 %±1.7, resp.) beside four atypical compositions. Otherwise, aerial parts and rhizomes produced similar essential oils. Lastly, a fair antimicrobial activity was measured against Staphylococcus aureus strain, while the antioxidant potential was low., (© 2020 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

The chemical composition of 44 leaf oil samples of Laggera pterodonta (DC.) Sch.Bip. ex Oliv. (Asteraceae) from Côte d'Ivoire was investigated, using combination of chromatographic (GC-FID) and spectroscopic (GC/MS, 13 C-NMR) techniques. Two oil samples chosen according to their chromatographic profiles were submitted to column chromatography and all fractions of CC were analyzed by GC-FID, GC/MS and 13 C-NMR. In total, 83 components accounting for 96.5 to 99.4 % of the whole chemical composition were identified. Significant variations were observed within terpene classes: monoterpene hydrocarbons (0.4-22.7 %), oxygenated monoterpenes (32.9-54.9 %), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (18.6-38.3 %) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (3.5-38.4 %). Thus, the 44 compositions were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Two groups were differentiated according to their composition. All the samples contained 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene, α-humulene and (E)-β-caryophyllene among the main components. Other components were present at appreciable contents and allowed differentiation of two groups: sabinene and germacrene D for Group I; 10-epi-γ-eudesmol and eudesm-7(11)-en-4α-ol for Group II. All the samples collected in Eastern Côte d'Ivoire constituted Group I, while samples collected in the Central area of the country constituted Group II., (© 2019 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Twenty-three resin samples have been obtained by tapping from individual Pinus pinaster adult trees grown in Corsica and submitted to acido-basic partition. Identification and quantitative determination of resin acids has been carried out using 13 C-NMR spectroscopy following a method developed by our group. The main components were dehydroabietic acid (up to 37.6 %), levopimaric acid (up to 35.5 %) and abietic acid (up to 24.7 %). A lignan, pinoresinol, has been identified in some samples. Within the 23 compositions, submitted to k-means analysis and Principal Component Analysis, two clusters have been perfectly differentiated, whose compositions were dominated by dehydroabietic acid (Group I, M=23.5 %, SD=6.3) and levopimaric acid (Group II, M=21.2 %; SD=6.2), respectively. Both compositions have been observed in the three locations of harvest., (© 2019 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

The composition of Enantia polycarpa Engl. & Diels leaf essential oil has been investigated for the first time using a combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The compositions of 52 leaf essential oil samples have been subjected to statistical analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Four groups were differentiated, of which the compositions were dominated by β-elemene and germacrene B (Group III, 22/52 samples); germacrene D (Group I, 16/52 samples); β-cubebene (Group IV, 8/52 samples) and by germacrene B and germacrene D (Group II, 6/52 samples). A special attention was brought to the quantification of the thermolabile components, germacrene A, germacrene B and germacrene C, as well as that of their rearranged compounds, β-elemene, γ-elemene and δ-elemene. 13 C-NMR data of β-cubebene have been provided., (© 2018 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Generic and specific determination among the Laurencia complex is a challenging task. DNA barcoding combined with phenotypic investigations are mandatory for species differentiation. In this study, two morphologically different members of the Laurencia complex were investigated using untargeted 1 H-NMR-based metabolomics. Twenty-one population samples were collected in order to evaluate both temporal and geographical homogeneity. Data obtained from 1 H-NMR analysis followed by statistical analysis allowed a clear separation of all the samples into two groups. DNA mitochondrial tests confirmed this pattern and identified the two species as Laurenciella sp. and Laurencia obtusa. In addition, metabolites responsible of this discrimination were investigated directly in crude extracts by 13 C-NMR using an in-house computer-assisted method. The combination of both untargeted ( 1 H) and targeted ( 13 C) NMR-based metabolomic approaches proves to be a powerful and complementary approach to discriminate species from the Laurencia complex., (© 2017 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

The chemical composition of trunk bark oil from Cleistopholis patens (Benth.) Engl. & Diels, growing wild in Côte d'Ivoire, has been investigated by GC (FID) in combination with retention indices, GC/MS and 13 C-NMR. Moreover, one oil sample has been subjected to CC and all the fractions analyzed by GC (RI) and 13 C-NMR. In total, 61 components have been identified, including various sesquiterpene esters scarcely found in essential oils. 13 C-NMR was particularly efficient for the identification of a component not eluted on GC and for the quantification of heat-sensitive compounds. Then, 36 oil samples, isolated from trunk bark harvested in six Ivoirian forests have been analyzed. The content of the main components varied drastically from sample to sample: (E)-β-caryophyllene (0.4 - 69.1%), β-pinene (0 - 57%), α-phellandrene (0 - 33.2%), α-pinene (0.1 - 30.6%), β-elemol (0.1 - 29.9%), germacrene D (0 - 25.4%), juvenile hormone III (0 - 22.9%), germacrene B (0 - 20.6%) and sabinene (tr-20.3%). Statistical analysis, hierarchical clustering and principal components analysis, carried out on the 36 compositions evidenced a fair chemical variability of the stem bark oil of this species. Indeed, three clusters have been distinguished: the composition of group I (ten samples) was dominated by β-pinene and α-pinene, group II (nine samples) was represented by α-phellandrene and p-cymene and group III (16 samples) by β-elemol. A sample displayed an atypical composition dominated by (E)-β-caryophyllene., (© 2017 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Forty-two essential oil samples were isolated from leaves of Xylopia rubescens harvested in three forests of Southern Ivory Coast. All the samples have been submitted to GC-FID and the retention indices (RIs) of individual components have been measured on two capillary columns of different polarity. In addition, 20 oil samples, selected on the basis of their chromatographic profile, were also analyzed by 13 C-NMR and 24 components (78.0 - 92.4% of the whole compositions) have been identified. The content of the main components varied drastically from sample to sample: furanoguaia-1,4-diene (5.7 - 54.1%), furanoguaia-1,3-diene (1.1 - 10.5%), (8Z,11Z,14Z)-heptadeca-8,11,14-trien-2-one (4.3 - 16.0%), and (E)-β-caryophyllene (1.7 - 17.3%). Hierarchical cluster and principal components analysis of the 42 oil compositions allowed the distinction of two well-differentiated groups of unequal importance within the oil samples. Oil samples of the main group (Group II) contained mainly furanoguaia-1,4-diene (mean [M] = 43.1%; standard deviation [SD] = 3.2%) while furanoguaia-1,3-diene (M = 8.4%; SD = 0.9%) and (8Z,11Z,14Z)-heptadeca-8,11,14-trien-2-one (M = 7.1%; SD = 1.5%) were present at appreciable contents. The composition of Group I was dominated by furanoguaia-1,4-diene (M = 17.0%; SD = 8.5%), (8Z,11Z,14Z)-heptadeca-8,11,14-trien-2-one (M = 10.2%; SD = 2.4%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (M = 9.5%; SD = 5.3%)., (© 2017 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Essential oil of the seeds from the endemic Tunisian plant Ferula tunetana Pomel ex Batt. was analyzed for its chemical composition and screened for its antimicrobial, antioxidant and antigerminative properties. The chemical composition of the isolated oil is reported for the first time. According to the GC/FID, GC/MS and 13 C-NMR analysis results; 18 compounds were identified accounting for 84.6% of the total oil. The chemical composition of this essential oil was characterized by the presence of a high proportion of monoterpene hydrocarbons (77.3%) followed by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (4.1%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (3.2%). α-Pinene (39.8%), β-pinene (11.5%) and (Z)-β-ocimene (7.5%) were the predominant compounds. Moreover, the isolated oil was tested for its antimicrobial activity using the disc-diffusion and the microdilution assays against six Gram-positive and five Gram-negative bacteria as well as towards two Candida species. The isolated oil was tested also for its antioxidant activity against DPPH, ABTS, O2∙ and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and for its antigerminative potential. It was found that it exhibited interesting antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhimurium LT2 DT104 (inhibition zone (IZ) 16.2 ± 1.0 mm) and Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 (IZ 15.8 ± 1.0 mm). However, it exerted a moderate antioxidant activity against H 2 O 2 (IC 50 78.2 ± 2.98 μg/ml) and towards O2∙ (IC 50 89.2 ± 3.82 μg/ml). The antigerminative effect of this oil was also evaluated in this work. Results showed a toxic effect., (© 2017 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Origanum compactum L. (Lamiaceae) is one of the most important medicinal species in term of ethnobotany in Morocco. It is considered as a very threatened species as it is heavily exploited. Its domestication remains the most efficient way to safeguard it for future generations. For this purpose, wide evaluation of the existing variability in all over the Moroccan territory is required. The essential oils of 527 individual plants belonging to 88 populations collected from the whole distribution area of the species in Morocco were analyzed by GC/MS. The dominant constituents were carvacrol (0 - 96.3%), thymol (0 - 80.7%), p-cymene (0.2 - 58.6%), γ-terpinene (0 - 35.2%), carvacryl methyl ether (0 - 36.2%), and α-terpineol (0 - 25.8%). While in the Middle Atlas region and the Central Morocco mainly carvacrol type samples were found, much higher chemotypic diversity was encountered within samples from the north part of Morocco (occidental and central Rif regions). The high chemical polymorphism of plants offers a wide range for selection of valuable chemotypes, as a part of breeding and domestication programs of this threatened species., (© 2016 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zürich.)

The genus Myrtus L. (Myrtaceae family) comprises two species, Myrtus communis L. (known as common myrtle) growing wild all around the Mediterranean basin and Myrtus nivellei Batt. and Trab. (known as Saharan myrtle), found in central Sahara. Only one country, Algeria, hosts both species, M. communis in the North and M. nivellei in the South. The aim of this review was to collect, summarize, and compare the main results reported relative to the essential oils isolated from aerial parts of both species: botanical aspects, habitat, traditional use, chemical composition, new compounds, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effect, and insecticidal activity. Both essential oils have potential applications in human health., (© 2016 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

The composition of oil samples isolated from needles of Pinus halepensis growing in three locations in Corsica (Saleccia, Capo di Feno, and Tre Padule) has been investigated by combination of chromatographic (GC with retention indices) and spectroscopic (MS and (13)C-NMR) techniques. In total, 35 compounds that accounted for 77 - 100% of the whole composition have been identified. α-Pinene, myrcene, and (E)-β-caryophyllene were the major component followed by α-humulene and 2-phenylethyl isovalerate. Various diterpenes have been identified as minor components. 47 Oil samples isolated from pine needles have been analyzed and were differentiated in two groups. Oil samples of the first group (15 samples) contained myrcene (M = 28.1 g/100 g; SD = 10.6) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (M = 19.0 g/100 g; SD = 2.2) as major components and diterpenes were absent. All these oil samples were isolated from pine needles harvested in Saleccia. Oil samples of the second group (32 samples) contained mostly (E)-β-caryophyllene (M = 28.7 g/100 g; SD = 7.9), α-pinene (M = 12.3 g/100 g; SD = 3.6), and myrcene (M = 11.7 g/100 g; SD = 7.3). All these oil samples were isolated from pine needles harvested in Capo di Feno and Tre Padule., (© 2016 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

The chemical composition of 45 essential oil samples isolated from the leaves of Polyalthia oliveri harvested in three Ivoirian forests was investigated by GC-FID (retention indices measured on two columns of different polarities), and by (13) C-NMR, following a method developed in our laboratory. In total, 41 components were identified. The content of the main components varied drastically from sample to sample: (E)-β-caryophyllene (1.2 - 50.8%), α-humulene (0.6 - 47.7%), isoguaiene (0 - 27.9%), alloaromadendrene (0 - 24.7%), germacrene B (0 - 18.3%), δ-cadinene (0.4 - 19.3%), and β-selinene (0.2 - 18.5%). The analysis of six oil samples selected in function of their chromatographic profiles is reported in detail. The 45 oil compositions were submitted to hierarchical cluster and principal components analysis, which allowed the distinction of three groups within the oil samples. The compositions of the oils from group I (15 samples) and II (12 samples) were dominated by (E)-β-caryophyllene and α-humulene, respectively. Oil samples of group III (18 samples) needed to be partitioned into four subgroups III.1-III.4 whose compositions were dominated by alloaromadenrene, isoguaiene, germacrene B, and δ-cadinene, respectively., (© 2016 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

The chemical composition of 42 essential-oil samples isolated from the leaves of Xylopia quintasii harvested in three Ivoirian forests was investigated by GC-FID, including the determination of retention indices (RIs), and by (13) C-NMR analyses. In total, 36 components accounting for 91.9-92.6% of the oil composition were identified. The content of the main components varied drastically from sample to sample: (E)-β-caryophyllene (0.9-56.9%), (Z)-β-ocimene (0.3-54.6%), β-pinene (0.8-27.9%), α-pinene (0.1-22.8%), and furanoguaia-1,4-diene (0.0-17.6%). The 42 oil compositions were submitted to hierarchical cluster and principal components analysis, which allowed the distinction of three groups within the oil samples. The composition of the oils of the major group (22 samples) was dominated by (E)-β-caryophyllene. The oils of the second group (12 samples) contained β-pinene and α-pinene as the principal compounds, while the oils of the third group (8 samples) were dominated by (Z)-β-ocimene, germacrene D, (E)-β-ocimene, and furanoguaia-1,4-diene. The oil samples of Group I and II came from clay-soil forests, while the oil samples belonging to Group III were isolated from leaves harvested in a sandy-soil forest., (Copyright © 2014 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

The chemical composition of 48 leaf oil samples isolated from individual plants of Cleistopholis patens (Benth.) Engl. et Diels harvested in four Ivoirian forests was investigated by GC-FID (determination of retention indices), GC/MS, and (13) C-NMR analyses. The main components identified were β-pinene (traces-59.1%), sabinene (traces-54.2%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (0.3-39.3%), linalool (0.1-38.5%), (E)-β-ocimene (0.1-33.2%), germacrene D (0.0-33.1%), α-pinene (0.1-32.3%), and germacrene B (0-21.2%). The 48 oil compositions were submitted to hierarchical clustering and principal components analyses, which allowed the distinction of three groups within the oil samples. The oil composition of the major group (GroupI, 33 samples) was dominated by (E)-β-caryophyllene and linalool. The oils of Group II (eight samples) contained mainly β-pinene and α-pinene, while those of Group III (seven samples) were dominated by sabinene, limonene, and β-phellandrene. Moreover, the compositions of the Ivoirian C. patens leaf oils differed from those of Nigerian and Cameroonian origins., (Copyright © 2013 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

The composition of 55 samples of essential oil isolated from the aerial parts of wild growing Myrtus communis L. harvested in 16 locations from East to West Algeria were investigated by GC (determination of retention indices) and (13) C-NMR analyses. The essential oils consisted mainly of monoterpenes, α-pinene (27.4-59.2%) and 1,8-cineole (6.1-34.3%) being the major components. They were also characterized by the absence of myrtenyl acetate. The compositions of the 55 oils were submitted to k-means partitioning and principal component analysis, which allowed the distinction of two groups within the oil samples, which could be subdivided into two subgroups each. Groups I (78% of the samples) and II were differentiated on the basis of the contents of α-pinene, linalool, and linalyl acetate. Subgroups IA and IB could be distinguished by their contents of α-pinene and 1,8-cineole. Subgroups IIA and IIB differed substantially in their contents of 1,8-cineole and limonene. All the samples contained 3,3,5,5,8,8-hexamethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.3.0]non-1(6)-ene-2,4-dione (up to 4.9%)., (Copyright © 2013 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

The chemical composition of 48 essential-oil samples isolated from the leaves of Xylopia aethiopica harvested in six Ivoirian forests was investigated by GC-FID and (13) C-NMR analyses. In total, 23 components accounting for 82.5-96.1% of the oil composition were identified. The composition was dominated by the monoterpene hydrocarbons β-pinene (up to 61.1%) and α-pinene (up to 18.6%) and the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon germacrene D (up to 28.7%). Hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses allowed the distinction of two groups on the basis of the β-pinene and germacrene D contents. The chemical composition of the oils of Group I (38 oil samples) was clearly dominated by β-pinene, while those of Group II (10 samples) were characterized by the association of β-pinene and germacrene D. The leaves collected in the four inland forests produced β-pinene-rich oils (Group I), while the oil samples belonging to Group II were isolated from leaves harvested in forests located near the littoral., (Copyright © 2012 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

The composition of 48 samples of essential oil isolated from the wood of Cedrus atlantica growing in Corsica was investigated by GC (in combination with retention indices), GC/MS, and (13) C-NMR. Twenty-three compounds accounting for 73.9-96.0% of the oil composition were identified. The oils consisted mainly of monoterpene hydrocarbons and sesquiterpenes, in particular α-pinene (5; up to 79.4%), himachalol (4; up to 66.2%), β-pinene (up to 21.4%), β-himachalene (2; up to 19.3%), γ-himachalene (3; up to 11.0%), and α-himachalene (1; up to 10.9%). The 48 oil compositions were submitted to k-means partitioning and principal-component analysis, which allowed the distinction of two groups within the oil samples. The composition of Group I (44% of the samples) was dominated by 5, while the samples of Group II (56% of the samples) contained mainly 4., (Copyright © 2011 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

The intraspecific chemical variability of essential oils (50 samples) isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia herba-alba Asso growing wild in the arid zone of Southeastern Tunisia was investigated. Analysis by GC (RI) and GC/MS allowed the identification of 54 essential oil components. The main compounds were β-thujone and α-thujone, followed by 1,8-cineole, camphor, chrysanthenone, trans-sabinyl acetate, trans-pinocarveol, and borneol. Chemometric analysis (k-means clustering and PCA) led to the partitioning into three groups. The composition of two thirds of the samples was dominated by α-thujone or β-thujone. Therefore, it could be expected that wild plants of A. herba-alba randomly harvested in the area of Kirchaou and transplanted by local farmers for the cultivation in arid zones of Southern Tunisia produce an essential oil belonging to the α-thujone/β-thujone chemotype and containing also 1,8-cineole, camphor, and trans-sabinyl acetate at appreciable amounts.

A detailed analysis of two essential oils from individual plants of Mentha suaveolens ssp. suaveolens growing wild in Corsica was carried out by combination of GC(RI), GC/MS, and (13)C-NMR analyses. One oil sample is characterized by the pre-eminence of piperitenone oxide, and the second is dominated by piperitenone. In contrast, it was reported that the essential oil of M. suaveolens ssp. insularis, an endemic species to Corsica and Sardinia, contained pulegone and cis-cis-p-menthenolide as main components. A principal-component analysis (PCA) carried out on the composition of the essential oil of 59 individual plants of M. suaveolens sp. allowed the classification into three well-defined groups. All the oil samples from Mentha suaveolens ssp. insularis belonged to the same group, while the oils from M. suaveolens ssp. suaveolens were distributed in the two other groups. The composition of the essential oil isolated from aerial parts of M. suaveolens ssp. has been shown to be an additional tool to differentiate the botanically close subspecies suaveolens and insularis.

The composition of 109 samples of essential oil isolated from the needles of Juniperus communis ssp. alpina growing wild in Corsica was investigated by GC (in combination with retention indices), GC/MS, and 13C-NMR. Forty-four compounds accounting for 86.7-96.7% of the oil were identified. The oils consisted mainly of monoterpene hydrocarbons, in particular, limonene (9.2-53.9%), beta-phellandrene (3.7-25.2%), alpha-pinene (1.4-33.7%), and sabinene (0.1-33.6%). The 109 oil compositions were submitted to k-means partitioning and principal component analysis, which allowed the distinction of two groups within the oil samples. The composition of the major group (92% of the samples) was dominated by limonene and beta-phellandrene, while the second group contained mainly sabinene beside limonene and beta-phellandrene.

A detailed analysis of Bupleurum fruticosum oil was carried out by combination of GC (RI), GC/MS, and 13C-NMR analyses. After fractionation by column chromatography, 34 components accounting for 97.8% of the oils were identified. The main component was beta-phellandrene (67.7%), followed by sabinene (9.3%), and limonene (5.6%). The evolution of the chemical composition according to the stages of development of the plant was investigated as well as the composition of leaf, twig, and flower oils. A solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) of aerial parts was carried out and the composition of the extract compared with that of the essential oil. Finally, 57 oil samples isolated from aerial parts of individual plants, collected all around Corsica, were analyzed, and the data were submitted to statistical analysis. Although the contents of the main components varied, only one group emerged, accompanied with some atypical compositions.

The essential oils from flowers and roots of Daucus carota L. ssp. maritimus were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by combination of GC, GC/MS, and (13)C-NMR. The chemical composition of the flower and root oils of this subspecies is reported here for the first time. Thirty-two and six compounds were identified in flower and root oils, respectively. A remarkable difference was found between the constituent percentages of the two organs. The chemical composition of the essential oil from flowers was characterized by a high proportion of monoterpene hydrocarbons (68.4%) and belonged to the sabinene (4; 51.6%) chemotype. The oxygenated monoterpenes represented the second major fraction of the same oil among which terpinen-4-ol (11.0%) was the predominant compound. Root oil exhibited a surprisingly different composition. Phenolic derivatives (76.3%), myristicin (31; 29.7%), and dillapiole (32; 46.6%) constituted the main fraction. The antibacterial effect resulted in the inhibition of a series of common human pathogenic bacteria, and of some clinically and environmentally isolated strains with significant MIC and MBC values.