THE VOLATILE OIL FROM THE HERB AND FRUITS OF CARUM COPTICUM AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH

Abstract

A study of the volatile oil prepared from both herb and fruits of Carum copticum Benth. and Hook. (Ajowan) cultivated in Egypt, at different stages of growth and maturity has been undertaken. The percentage of the oil in the herb reached 2.88 % and in the fruits varied from 4.4 % to 8.9 % on dry weight basis, according to the age of fruits. The physical, chemical and IR spectra of the oils were determined. Qualitatively, both oils of herb and fruits contained: α–pinene, β–pinene, γ³ carene, myrcene, limonene, γ–terpinene, p.cymene, thymol and cravacrof. The percentages of these different constituents in oils prepared from herb at different stages of growth, as well as, from fruits at different stages of maturity and from fruits before and after storage for 2 years, are reported.