ABSTRACT
Objective To isolate and identify the compounds in the essential oils from the leaves of Callistemon viminalis (D.R.) and Melaleuca leucadendron (Linn.) collected in Dakar, Senegal. Methods The essential oils from the leaves of these two myrtaceaes were extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by gas chromatograph and gas chromatography–mass spectrometer. Results A total of 34 constituents were identified in the oil of Callistemon viminalis and the major compounds were 1.8-cineole (58.12%), limonene (9.72%), α-terpineol (9.56%), geranial (6.02%), δ-elemene (3.53%), myrcene (2.96%) and α-pinene (2.49%). For the essential oil of Melaleuca leucadendron, 43 constituents were identified, and 1.8-cineole (28.87%), epiglobulol (23.06%), α-pinene (12.22%), limonene (11.65%) and α-terpineol (7.06%) were major compounds. Conclusions Considering properties of the identified major compounds, essential oils of both studied myrtaceae could be used in the medicine field including the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.