[Volatile oil composition of ballota nigra L. ssp. anatolica P.H. davis, growing in Mazandaran province]

ABSTRACT

The genus Ballota [Lamiaceae] is comprised of about 90 species all over the world. Remarkably, three species of this genus are growing in Iran, that is used in traditional medicine [1]. Investigation on the essential oil composition of Ballota nigra ssp. anatolica. The aerial parts of B. nigra ssp. anatolica were collected during the flowering stage from Shahnajar village, Kojur, Mazandaran Province, in July 2007. Hydrodistillation was performed using a Clevenger-type apparatus for 3 hours to yield 0.7% [w/w] of yellowish oil. Essential oil was analyzed with GC and GC/MS techniques. The constituents of the essential oil were identified by comparison of their mass spectra and retention indices [RI] with those given in the literature and authentic samples. Twelve components were determined in the essential oil of B. nigra ssp. anatolica, representing 91.8% of the oil. Germacrene D [18.1%], Nerolidol epoxyacetate [15.4%], Sclareoloxide [12.1%], Linalyl acetate [11.5%], beta - Caryophyllene [10.5%] were found to be the major constituents. The oil of B. nigra ssp. anatolica consists of oxygenated monoterpens [18.1%] and sesquiterpens [73.7%]