Fractional distillation effect on the chemical composition of Moroccan myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) essential oils

The essential oil was extracted from Moroccan myrtle and followed by fractional distillation. The fractions obtained were analysed by GC and GC/MS. Moroccan myrtle essential oil contained a-pinene (10%), 1,8-cineole (43%) and myrtenyl acetate (25%) as a major components. The rectification of myrtle oil gives three principal fractions. The first one was rich in a-pinene (42-54.8%) and 1,8-cineole (27-53.6%). The second fraction was dominated by 1,8-cineole (83-95.8%). The third fraction was characterized by myrtenyl acetate (62-65%). Fractional distillation improved the quality of essential oil. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.