Chemical Investigations of Three Ocimum Species of Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
1999-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
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.
Description
Keywords
Ocimum Species