Comparison of the Volatile Flower Oils of Nicotiana rustica and N. forgetiana

ABSTRACT The volatile constituents obtained by vacuum-steam distillation of the flowers of Nicotiana rustica and of N. forgetiana were profiled by capillary GC and characterized by GC/MS. Compounds comprising 74% of N. rustica flower oil and 72% of N. forgetiana flower oil were identified. Seventeen compounds were observed in N. rustica oil, with the alkaloid, nicotine (25.92%), and the sesquiterpene, aromadendrene (11.26%) being the major constituents. Of the 14 compounds observed in N. forgetiana oil, no constituents exceeded 10% of the total amount. Farnesyl acetone (4.97%), β-pinene (4.19%), acoradiene (3.81%) and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate (3.97%) were present in highest concentrations. Twelve compounds were common to the oils of both species, although seven of these were aliphatic C21-C25 hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons occurred in significantly greater amounts in N. forgetiana. (Z)-3-Hexenol was die only component found at a level exceeding 5% in both species.