Comparative study on changes of volatile oil content and its components of eucalyptus camaldulensis and eucalyptus citriodora at El-Qasasin Region, Ismailia Governorate

Abstract EN

Monthly variations of volatile oil yield extracted from fresh leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus citriodora and its main components were studied during ٢٠١٣ year (from January up to December ٢٠١٣).

Thirteen years old trees grown at the Experimental Farm of El-Qasasin Research Station, Agriculture Research Center, Ismailia Governorate were used in this study.

Main components of the extracted volatile oil samples of the two Eucalyptus species were detected using gas chromatography analysis.

Volatile oil percent in fresh leaves ranged between ٠.٤٦ to ٠.٩٨% and ٠.٣٤ to ١.٤٤% during ٢٠١٣ months for E.

camaldulensis and E.

citriodora, respectively.

The highest volatile oil percentages in leaves were recorded during March – May months and the lowest percentages during June - September months for E.

camaldulensis.

While, for E.

citriodora, the highest volatile oil percentages were obtained during June - September months and the lowest during January - March and December months.

The main components of E.

camaldulensis volatile oil were spathulenol (٢٥.٥٨ to ٣٥.٨٥%) followed by p-cymene (٢١.٤٥ to ٢٧.٥٤%).

While in E.

citriodora volatile oil, citronellal (٥٧.٥٨ to ٨٥.٠٣%) followed by citronellol (٠.٢٤ to ١٠.٨٤%) were the main components.

The highest percentages of Spathulenol in E.

camaldulensis essential oil and of citronellol in E.

citriodora essential oil were recorded on January under the experimental conditions of such research.

In conclusion, for obtaining high volatile oil yield, the Eucalyptus leaves should be harvested during March to May for E.

camaldulensis and during June to September for E.

citriodora.

While, for higher content of Spathulenol and citronellal components leaves should be harvested leaves during January for the two Eucalyptus species.