Abstract

The chemical composition of the essential oils of the leaves and the flowers of Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) from Kerman province, Iran were obtained by hydrodistillation method and analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Thirty-three compounds, accounting for 95.75% of the total oil with 1.8% oil yield were identified in the essential oil of the leaves. The major components were 1,8-cineole (25.7%), Sabinene (8.7%) and α-pinene (5.25%). Twenty-seven compounds, accounting for 87.36% of the total oil with 1.2% oil yield were identified in the essential oil of the flowers. The major components were 1,8-cineole (18.69%), b-elemene (8.87%), Sabinene (7.93%), α-pinene (7.38%) and b-Caryophyllene (5.35%).

Key words: Laurus nobilis L., essential oil, medicinal properties, analytical chemistry.