Characterization of Portuguese-Grown Geranium Oil (Pelargonium sp.).

The chemical composition of the Portuguese-grown geranium essential oil (Pelargonium hybrid)cultivated in northern Portugal, which also grows wild,was examined. It was found that the geranium oil herein obtained had characteristics intermediate between Bourbon and China types, with good olfactory quality and presenting characteristics different from those previously studied. The essential oils of fresh/dried and green/yellow geranium leaves were compared. Solvent extraction methods were also employed and the composition of the respective absolutes was determined and compared with the essential oil. It was concluded that using air-dried plant and yellow leaves improved the quality of geranium oil. Moreover, the absolute obtained from a diethyl ether extract had the best organoleptic properties of the extracts studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]