<b>VOLATILE LEAF OIL CONSTITUENTS OF <i>OCIMUM AMERICANUM</i> L. OCCURING IN WESTERN KENYA

Abstract

Steam distilled volatile oils from the leaves of Ocimum americanum L. growing in Western Kenya were analysed by GC and GC-MS. A total of 36 compounds, representing a total of 88.51% of the total oil, were identified. The oil was classified as terpinen-4-ol-type according to the terpinen-4-ol content (43.21%). To the best of our knowledge this chemotype of O. americanum has not yet been reported from the East African region. This chemotype of O. americanum has only been reported from Togo. Other notable components include 1,8-cineole (16.13%), α-terpineol (4.01%), trans-caryophyllene (3.06%), α-bergamotene (2.68%) and cis-sabinene hydrate (2.59%). The oil contains mainly oxygenated monoterpenes which accounted for 71.24% of the total oil. The yield obtained was 4% w/w on a dry weight basis.

The Essential Oil of &lt;i&gt;Ocimum americanum&lt;/i&gt; from Senegal and Gambia as a Source of Methyleugenol for the Control of &lt;i&gt;Bactrocera dorsalis&lt;/i&gt;, Fruit Fly

“…The essential oil yields from O. americanum leaves harvested in Senegal and Gambia were 3.84% and 2.13%, respectively. These yields are similar to those reported in Brazil (3.6%) [26] and Kenya (4.0%) [27]. On the other hand, they are very high compared to others described in the literature (8% -9%), in Benin and Kumaun Himalayas [28] [29] [30] [31].…”

“…However, most chemotypes of this species are dominated by compounds derived from the phenylpropanoid: thymol/p-cymène/ γ-terpinene [26]; eugenol/δ-cadinene [33]; eugenol/ (E)-caryophyllene/methyleugenol [32]; eugenol/methylchavicol [32] [34]; methylchavicol/linalool [32]; methylchavicol/eugenol [32] [35]; transmethylcinamate [36]. In some studies, terpenes were described as the main constituents: terpineol, linalol, neral, geranial, terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene, camphor, longipinol, 1,8-cineole, β-bisabolene, limnene, γ-salinene, carvotanacetol and carvacrol [27] [28] [29] [31] [35]- [47]. This chemical variability may be due to climatic conditions, soil conditions and genetic mutations.…”

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity, Cytotoxicity, and Phytochemical Composition of Ocimum americanum L. (Lamiaceae)

“…Ocimum americanum L. has a wide range of ethnopharmacologically active compounds in the form of volatile oils. ese include 1,8cineole, linalool, methyl eugenol, eugenol, trans-caryophyllene, and various terpenenes [10,16]. In addition, it is reported to have numerous biophysiological activities, including acute peptic ulcer as well as gastric cytoprotective antiulcer [15], antifungal [17], antimicrobial [4,18], and larvicidal activity [19].…”