Essential oil composition of <i>Terminalia ivorensis</i> A. Chev. flowers from Northern Nigeria

Abstract

In the present study, the volatile compounds identified in the essential oil from the flowers of <em>Terminalia ivorensis </em>A. Chev (Combretaceae) collected from Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, are reported. Essential oils were obtained using hydrodistllation in a Clevengertype apparatus. The yield of the light yellow oil was found to be 0.22% (v/w, dry weight basis). The content and composition of the oil were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC-FID) and gas chromatography with electron impact mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main compounds of the oil were δ-3-carene (29.4%) and α-pinene (20.9%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the essential oil constituents of any part of <em>T.</em> <em>ivorensis</em>.