The essential oils obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of nine Eucalyptus species (E. cinerea F. Muell., E. baueriana F. Muell., E. smithii R. T. Baker, E. bridgesiana R. T. Baker, E. microtheca F. Muell., E. foecunda Schau., E. pulverulenta Sims, E. propinqua Deane and Maiden, E. erythrocorys F. Muell.) of Moroccan origin have been analysed using GC and GC–MS. A total of 83 constituents were identified. All the species investigated were found to possess an oil rich in 1,8‐cineole (>68%). In five species (E. cinerea F. Muell., E. baueriana F. Muell., E. smithii R. T. Baker, E. bridgesiana R. T. Baker and E. microtheca F. Muell.), the 1,8‐cineole content exceeded 80%. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Air-dried aerial parts of Pistacia lentiscus L. collected from different regions of Morocco (Mehdia, Oulmes and Chaouen) were water-distilled to produce oil in 0.2% yields. The chemical composition of P. lentiscus oils changes from a region to another. The variations in chemical composition are important between plant populations. A total of 45 constituents were identified. The major oil components of P. lentiscus from Oulmes were α-pinene (16.5-38.5%), β-myrcene (10.2-11.5%) and limonene (6.8-9.8%), while terpinen-4-ol (32.7-43.8%), α-pinene (7.1-13.5%) and bornyl acetate (6.8-10.3%) were the main constituents of Chaouen oil. For P. lentiscus from Mehdia, terpinen-4-ol (14.5-19.3%), caryophyllene oxide (6.5-10.3%) and limonene (6.7-8.1%) were the major components. The effect of harvesting time on the oil production and chemical composition was also examined at different vegetative stages (December-June). For the three locations, the best oil content was obtained during the flowering period March-June.

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Seven commercial Moroccan honeys were considered for chemical characterisation. Volatile fraction, total polyphenols content, antioxidant and antiradical activities were evaluated by employing different analytical methodologies. Several physical parameters such as refractive index, pH, water content, solids content and colour were measured. Volatile fraction revealed an abundant presence of cis- and trans-linalool oxide in the seven studied samples. The presence of high levels of compounds related to the Maillard reaction, like furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural, could be the result of thermal treatments used to liquefy commercial honeys or of long storage times. The CIE L*a*b*C*(ab)h°(ab) chromatic coordinates confirmed the advanced stage of the Maillard reaction, showing L* values lower than the common values found for honey of similar typologies.

Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information:ABSTRACT The essential oils of 27 Eucnlyptus species of Moroccan origin have been examined using GC and GUMS. Forty constituents were identified in the oils, although full chemical characterization of each oil was not achieved. Fifteen of the 27 species investigated were found to possess an oil rich in l,g-cineole (>40%). In four species, E. globulus, E. melliodorn, E. siderophloin and E. mnideni, the 1,8-cineole content exceeded 70% while the a-phellandrene percentage was less than 1%. E. citriodorn was found to possess an oil rich in citronellal(56%) while E. maculntn possessed an oil rich in a-pinene (70%).