GC/MS ANALYSIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF ALHAGI GRAECORUM BOISS (FAMILY FABACEAE)
Magda T. Ibrahim
Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
The hydrodistilled essential oil of the aerial part of Alhagi graecorum Boiss (Family Fabaceae) were subjected to GC and GC/MS analysis. GC/MS analysis of the oil revealed the presence of 35 compounds. The oil was found to be rich in hydrocarbons mostly sesquiterpenes. The major components were identified as carophyllene (20.94%). α- phellandrene (10.39%), allo aromadendrene (9.82%) β- elemene (8.6%) α – terpinene (7. 37%), and camphene (5.47%) . The oxygenated components were mostly alcohols in addition to traces of esters, oxides, aldehydes and ketones. Alcohols were identified, mainly spathulenol (10.1%), 4- terpineol (5.3%) and linalool (4.22%). The oil was tested for its diuretic and antimicrobial activities.
December 2012