Study of the Essential Oil of Plectranthus Marrubioides Hochst Cultivated in Kenya
Abstract
Fran the leaves of Plectranthus marrubioides Hochst, obtained frcm a
cultivation in Nairobi (at Kabete), the essential (volatile) oil was
isolated. Both macroscopic and microscopic examination of the leaves
was done. The study of the distilled oil was done by Thin Layer
Chromatography and Gas Liquid Chromatography. Cn steam distillation
the yield of the oil (calculated on moisture free basis) was 4.25% v/w.
The physical properties of the oil were obtained as follows:-
Specific gravity W24) : 0.9531
Refractive index (np25.4^ ; 1.4810
Optical rotation (»<D
25'4) : +4.4°
The oil was found to contain at least 21 components and the major one
was identified as camphor and occurred in a quantity of 74.0%.
The volatile oil frcm the stems was also isolated. The yield was
0.43% v/w calculated on a moisture free basis. This oil was compared
with the oil obtained from the leaves and was found to contain a
slightly lower percentage of camphor (70%).
Finally the volatile oil was isolated from leaves which had not been
dried properly and had started rotting to see if it had undergone any
changes. GLC studies showed that most of the major constituents
remained unchanged.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Subject
Study of the Essential OilRights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
The following license files are associated with this item: