Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 M.Sc Student of Payame Noor University, Abhar, Iran
2 Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran
3 Faculty of Science, Payame Noor University, Abhar, Iran
Abstract
Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) is an evergreen tree and growing in favorable condition to a height of about 15-20 meter. This ornamental tree is indigenous to the Mediterranean area and southeast part of Europe. The essential oil obtained from Laurus nobilis has been used for anti larvae, rheumatic pains and muscular convulsion. Laurel is usually considered as the natural source of this compound, used in the flavor, cosmetic and fragrance industries. In the present study the leaves of Laurus nobilis were collected from two locations (Botanical Garden of Noshahr and National Botanical Garden of Iran in Tehran) in March 2009 and dried in shade. In addition the green stems and fruits were collected from Noshahr. The essential oil of all samples were obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The oil yields based on dry weight for stem, leaf and fruit are respectively 0.22%, 0.43% and 1.35% (for Noshahr samples) and 3.86% for the leaves of Tehran sample. Twenty-fore, 27, 37 and 20 components were identified in the essential oils of stem, leaf, fruit (for Noshahr) and leaf (for Tehran) of Laurus nobilis (representing 95%, 98.5%, 95.6% and 98.4% of the oils), respectively. The major components in the stem oil were 1,8-cineole (42.9%), α-terpinyl acetate (16.8%) and sabinene(4.7%). The main compounds in leaf oil were 1,8-cineole (58.2%), α-terpinyl acetate (10%) and sabinene(7.2%) and main compounds in leaf oil in Tehran sample were 1,8-cineole (47%), sabinene(13.9%) andα -terpinyl acetate (11.5%). The major components in fruit oil were E-β-ocimene (20.8%), 1,8-cineole (14.4%), α-terpinyl acetate (8.5%), germacrene B (7.8%), α-pinene (6.6%), germacrene D (6%), sabinene(5.4%) and β-pinene (5.1%). The results obtained from this study showed that the oil yields from the stem was lower than leaves but in both stem and leaf oils the major components were similar. The fruit oil contained high amount of E-β-ocimene.
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