Chemical Investigations of Three Ocimum Species of Ethiopia

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Date

1999-03

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Addis Ababa Universty

Abstract

Two species of Ocimum Species localiy known as 'Ajuban' and 'Besobla' are widely used in Ethiopia for fragrance and flavour purposes respectively. Until recently the two varieties were known botanically as 0. basilicum var. thyrsiflorm and 0. ba.silicum var. basilicum In this study the essential oils of 0. basilicumvar. thyrsiflorm (' Ajuban') were subjected to GC, GCllvlS and IH and llC NMR analyses. Two different essential oil profiles were recoginized: linaloollestragole and 1,8-cineole/linaloollfralls-geraniol. Likewise, the essential oil of O. americnum lval. pilosum ('Besobla'), that was collected from Wondo Genet, was analyzed by GC, GC/MS and H and 13C NMR methods. Linalool and methyl cinnamate were found to be the major components. O. americanum var. americanum which is slightly different Ii'om var. pilosum by its less hairy fruiting calyx was collected from Meta Abo area at two different times. The essential oils obtained from this plant were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Four different essential oil profiles were found: 1,8-cineole/linalool/methyl cinnamate, I ,8-cineole/linalool, 1 ,8-cineole/linaloollfral1s-geraniol and 1,8-cineole/estragole. 0. lanmifolium (locally 'Dama-Kesse') , which is an important medicine in Ethiopia, has been investigated. The essential oils obtained were analyzed by GC and GC/MS.

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Ocimum Species

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