Chemical composition of the volatiles ofHemidesmus indicus R. Br

Volatile compounds were isolated from the fragrant roots of Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus) by steam distillation and identified. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde accounted for approx. 91% of the extract. The remainder consisted of >40 compounds, among which ledol and nerolidol predominated (4.5 and 1.2%, respectively). Other minor constituents included borneol, linalyl acetate, dihydrocarvyl acetate, salicylaldehyde, alpha-terpinyl acetate and 1,8- cineol.