Composition of the essential oils from galls and aerial parts of Pistacia lentiscus L.

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the galls and the aerial parts of Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) was analyzed by GC/MS. Among the 58 constituents identified (representing 82.8% of the oil composition) sesquiterpene hydrocarbons predominated (ca. 47%), beta-caryophyllene (13.1%), delta-cadinene (8.1%) and Germacrene D (6.8%) being the major components. Although galls and oils of the aerial parts were similar from a qualitative viewpoint, the latter oil was somewhat more complex (73 components identified, accounting for 85.4% of the oil) and the monoterpene hydrocarbons fraction (ca. 35%) was now dominant in the oil, alpha-pinene (13.0%), beta-caryophyllene (6.9%), limonene and beta-phellandrene (5.4%), beta-pinene (4.9%) and p-cymene (4.7%) being the main components.