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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » Natural Products Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #242152
Title: Enantiomeric distribution of some linalool containing essential oils and their biological activities

Author
item OZEK, TEMEL - Anadolu Universtiy
item Tabanca, Nurhayat
item DEMIRCI, FATIH - Anadolu Universtiy
item Wedge, David
item BASER, K. HUSNU CAN - Anadolu Universtiy

Submitted to: Records of Natural Products
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/26/2010
Publication Date: 10/5/2010
Citation: Ozek, T., Tabanca, N., Demirci, F., Wedge, D.E., Baser, K. 2010. Enantiomeric distribution of some linalool containing essential oils and their biological activities. Records of Natural Products. 4(4):180-192.

Interpretive Summary: Linalool is an important flavour and fragrance compound. It contributes to the characteristic aroma of a vast number of natural products such as fruits and spices. Two optical isomers with different odors profiles are described as 3S-(+)-linalool is perceived as sweet, floral, petitgrain like and the 3R-form as more woody and lavender-like. Plants mostly produce only one linalool isomer, so that the enantiomeric excess can be used as an indicator for authenticity. This study establishes the enantiomeric composition of linalool was determined in 42 essential oils using chiral columns. Enantiomeric distribution of linalool showed (-)-linalool was much more common than the (+)-linalool in the essential oils in this study.

Technical Abstract: The enantiomeric composition of linalool was determined in 42 essential oils using chiral columns. Essential oils were analyzed by multidimentional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using a non-chiral and chiral FSC column combination with modified '-cyclodextrine (Lipodex E) as the chiral stationary phase without previous isolation of the compound from the mixture. The essential oils of Achillea, Ballota, Calamintha, Micromeria, Hedychium, Tanacetum, Coriandrum, Xanthoxylum, Ocimum, Thymus, Lavandula, Elettaria, Cinnamomum, Salvia, Origanum, Satureja, Nepeta, Stachys were used as source material for enantiomeric separation of linalool. Enantiomeric distribution of linalool showed (-)-linalool was much more common than the (+)-linalool in the essential oils in this study.