Volatile constituents of Achillea pachycephala, A. oxyodonta and A. biebersteinii from Iran

The water-distilled essential oils from aerial parts of Achillea pachycephala Rech.f. and Achillea oxyodonta Boiss., which are endemic to Iran, and stems, leaves and flowers of Achillea biebersteinii Afan., were analysed by GC and GC–MS. The oil of A. pachycephala was found to contain 1,8-cineole (27.7%) and camphor (27.4%) as the major constituents. The oil of A. oxyodonta was characterized by higher amounts of 1,8-cineole (38.5%) and artemisia ketone (23.0%). The oils obtained from stems and leaves of A. biebersteinii were rich in camphor (38.1% and 33.7%, respectively) and borneol (22.6% and 20.8%, respectively). The other main component of the stem oil was 1,8-cineole (13.5%). In the flower oil of the plant, camphor (36.3%) and 1,8-cineole (22.3%) were the predominant compounds. All oils were richer in oxygenated monoterpenes. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.