Essential oil Analysis of Fresh Aerial part of Iranian Ocimum sanctum L. by Hydro & Steam Distillation

Abstract

The genus <em>Ocimum</em> L. belonging to family of Lamiaceae is widely distributed in Iran, <em>Ocimum sanctum</em> L. is described in many medicinal properties and a wide therapeutic range. It is used specially in the management of cough, ashtma, fever and common cold. In this research, samples were collected from Shahr-e-Rey, on August 2013, then essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation and steam distillation methods, and their chemical composition were investigated by GC/MS. Main components obtained from hydro-distillation were methyl chavicol (26.86%) , linalool (17.76%), epi- α-cadinol (13.12%) in flowers and methyl chavicol (27.64%) , epi- α-cadinol (11.5%) in leaves, and also main components obtained from steam distillation were methyl chavicol (25.2%) , linalool (17.65%), germacrene D (6.87%) in flowers and methyl chavicol (38.96%), linalool (12.13%) in leaves, respectively. Methyl chavicol was the main constituent in all essential oils.