Physico-chemical properties of Hyptis suaveolens essential oil

This work has reported the results of analyzes performed by GC/MS on essential oils extracted from leaves of H. suaveolens (Lamiaceae) collected in seven localities of Benin and their physico-chemical properties (density, refractive index, acid index, rotatoty power) determined by appropriate methods. The volatile extracts analyzed were characterized by the presence of different compounds, marked by significant quantitative variations. Sabinene (7.3- 31.3%), eucalyptol (14.0-24.6%), β-caryophyllene (6.9-12.7%), 1,8-cineole (11.5%), β-phellandrene (10.2%), terpinolene (8.7-9.6%), fenchone (4.1-8.1%), p-mentha-2 (7), 8-diene (7.9%), bicyclogermacrene (4.7-7.5%), β-pinene (4.9-7.4%), (Z)-β-ocimene (6.9%) and terpinen-4-ol (5.4-5.9%) were the predominant compounds of essential oils analyzed. The values of the physico-chemical factors, in partcular those of the rotatory power have likewise exhibited profound differences according to the harvest area of the plant material.