Search

This is first report on the composition of the leaf essential oils of J. communis L. varieties from the Western Hemisphere. The oil of Juniperus communis var. jackii had the most distinct oil and contained moderate amounts of α-pinene (16.1-18.9%), δ-3-carene (17.9-28.4%) and β-phellandrene (9.2-13.4%) along with several diterpenes including isoabienol. Juniperus communis var. charlottensis oil had a very high concentration of α-pinene (59.3%), with moderate amounts of β-pinene (5.9%), δ-3-carene (3.6%) and β-phellandrene (2.9%). The oil of J. communis var. depressa was dominated by a-pinene (53.9%), δ-3-carene (9.3%) and β-pinene (5.5%) and was a little unusual in also containing citronellol, citronellyl acetate, neryl acetate and geranyl acetate with no diterpenes. The oil of J. communis var. megistocarpa possessed large amounts of α-pinene (58.5%), limonene (20.4%) and β-pinene (5.0%) and, like J. communis var. depressa, its oil also contained citronellol, citronellyl acetate, neryl acetate and geranyl acetate. Putative J. communis var. saxatilis from Idaho, USA, had a high concentration of α-pinene (56.5%) with moderate amounts of δ-3-carene (11.5%), β-pinene (5.4%), myrcene (4.5%) and β-phellandrene (3.1%). The oils of these North American varieties were compared to J. communis var. communis (Sweden) and J. communis var. saxatilis (Switzerland). A survey of approximately 65 species of Juniperus revealed that isoabienol was present in eight species. X-ray, MS and 13C-NMR were used to determine the structure of isoabienol (I) and KI and a mass spectrum is presented to aid future identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils of Moroccan Juniperus thurifera var. africana from three provenances (Forêt Islane, Ait Lkak and Plateau of Matat) in the Tensift-Al Haouz, Marrakech region, were analyzed by combined capillary gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. The oil yields from fresh leaves showed on differences among geographical sources. Air dried leaves appeared to yield more oil at the highest elevation (1.03%, Ait Lkak, 2900 m) than lower sites (0.67%, Plateau of Matat, 2200 m; 0.57%, Forêt Islane, 2000 m). The essential oils from each geographic site had very similar composition in fresh versus air dried leaves. The essential oils from provenance Ait Lkak and Plateau of Matat were very similar and characterized by a high sabinene content (21.2, 35.9%), in contrast to 10.% sabinene from the provenance Forêt Islane. The oil from Foret Islane had a high d-cadinene content with 12.7%, whereas Aik Akak and Plateau of Matat contained only 0.6 and 0.8%. The Moroccan oils (J. thurifera var. africana) were compared to European J. thurifera var. thurifera (Spain) oil. Moroccan oils were found to be higher sabinene and limonene than the European oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]