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Planta Med 1980; 40: 22-28
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1074997
Research Articles

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effect of pH During Distillation on the Composition of the Volatile Oil from Juniperus sabina1

Arthur Koedam, Anja Looman
  • Department of Pharmacognosy, State University of Leiden, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Leiden, The Netherlands
1 Pan V of the series „Comparison of isolation procedures for essential oils”. Part IV, see ref. [12]
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Publication History

Publication Date:
29 April 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The volatile oil distilled from terminal branches of Juniperus sabina, was found to contain 14 monoterpene hydrocarbons, 1 sesquiterpene hydrocarbon and 12 oxygenated monoterpenes. Comparison with the volatile fraction of a solvent extract revealed that the distillation method generated appreciable amounts of terpinen-4-ol, α- and γ-terpinene and terpinolene at the expense of sabinene and cis- and trans-sabinene hydrate. It is shown that these conversions are caused by the acidity of the distillation water.

Key Word Index

Juniperus sabina - Cupressaceae - Essential Oil - Distillation - pH-Influence.

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