Abstract
From fennel fruits, Foeniculum vulgare Mill (family Umbelliferae), obtained in Nairobi, the volatile oil was isolated by steam distillation method. Both the physical and chemical properties of the oil were determined. The yield of the oil was 4*3 per cent calculated on moisture-free basis•
Physico-chemical properties of the oil were the
following:
Density
(d20°)
0.9991
Optical rotation
(~T>
.. +4.0°
Refractive index
1.5099
Thin layer and gas- studies showed that
liquid chromatographic anethole, the most important
component of fennel oil, occured in low amount, namely 7 per cent.