Application of multidimensional gas chromatography to the enantioselective characterisation of the essential oil of Eupatorium buniifolium Hooker et Arnott

The qualitative and quantitative composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of Eupatorium buniifolium Hooker et Arnott (Asteraceae) has been investigated for the first time. The essential oils were obtained by steam distillation of leaves and analysed by GC-MS; 44 components were identified. Monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, especially alpha-pinene (14.7%), beta-elemene (12.2%), germacrene D (11.5%), trans-beta-guaiene (6.5%) and (E)-caryophyllene (4.3%), were the major constituents found in the oils. The characterisation of E. buniifolium by enantioselective GC was performed by evaluation of the enantiomeric ratios of alpha-pinene, sabinene, beta-pinene, limonene, terpinen-4-ol and germacrene D. Copyright (C) 2005 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.