Chemical Composition and Multivariate Analysis of the Volatile Oil of Dalbergia frutescens (Vell.) Britton (Fabaceae)

The chemical composition of the volatile oil from the leaves of three specimens of D. frutescens, collected over a period of one year, was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). These essential oils were characterized by the presence of norisoprenoids (beta-damascenone, beta-ionone, and alpha-ionone), as well as sesquiterpenes. Multivariate analysis showed that the compounds beta-damascenone and beta-ionone exerted the greatest influence on spatial and temporal differences in the composition of the oils. Samples obtained from specimens located in the same city showed similar chemical compositions.