Chemical characterization of essential oil from the leaves of Callistemon viminalis (D.R.) and Melaleuca leucadendron (Linn.)

Objective: To isolate and identify the compounds in the essential oils from the leaves of Callistemon viminalis (D.R.) and Melaleuca leucadendron (Linn.) collected in Dakar, Senegal. Methods: The essential oils from the leaves of these two myrtaceaes were extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by gas chromatograph and gas chromatography–mass spectrometer. Results: A total of 34 constituents were identified in the oil of Callistemon viminalis and the major compounds were 1.8-cineole (58.12%), limonene (9.72%), α-terpineol (9.56%), geranial (6.02%), δ-elemene (3.53%), myrcene (2.96%) and α-pinene (2.49%). For the essential oil of Melaleuca leucadendron, 43 constituents were identified, and 1.8-cineole (28.87%), epiglobulol (23.06%), α-pinene (12.22%), limonene (11.65%) and α-terpineol (7.06%) were major compounds. Conclusions: Considering properties of the identified major compounds, essential oils of both studied myrtaceae could be used in the medicine field including the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.