Chemical Analysis of Essential Oil of Vetiveria Zizanioides (Linn.) Nash. Roots

The Vetiver roots from Banthra near Lucknow on hydrodistillation gave 0.28% oil on dry weight basis having slight-viscous consistency, yellowish brown colour and characteristic woody odour. Physicochemical properties and odour of the oil obtained is quite similar to Bharatpur (Rajasthan), which fetches highest price in the market. The oil contains sesquiterpene and sesquiterpene derivatives mainly γ-cadinene, clovene, α-amorphene, aromadendrene, junipene, β-hmachalene, franesene, β-bisabolene, cis-caryophyllene, khusimol, epiglobulol, spathulenol, khusinol, khusinone, khusimone and khusinol acetate are also present in the oil giving characteristic odour of Vetiver oil. The oil also contains eugenol, isoeugenol and khusinol acetate.