Planta Med 2008; 74(2): 182-187
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1034295
Analytical Studies
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Analysis of the Volatile Compounds of Flowers and Essential Oils from Lavandula angustifolia Cultivated in Northeastern Italy by Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Carla Da Porto1 , Deborha Decorti1
  • 1Department of Food Science, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received: October 5, 2007 Revised: December 23, 2007

Accepted: January 3, 2008

Publication Date:
04 February 2008 (online)

Abstract

Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry using the divinyl/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB-CAR-PDMS) fibre was applied for the analysis of aroma profiles of Lavandula angustifolia L. flowers and the corresponding essential oils. The optimal sampling time was determined by studying the equilibrium time profile of the major volatile compounds for the lavender flowers (50 min) and the essential oil (20 min). Comparative analysis of L. angustifolia L. cultivated in Friuli Venezia Giulia (northeastern Italy) highlighted that the contents of linalool and linalyl acetate were the major differences between the composition of flowers and the hydro-distilled products. Lavender essential oil from Middle-Friuli Venezia Giulia was evaluated as the highest quality for its high level of linalyl acetate (31.7 %) and linalool (45.0 %) and low percentage of camphor (0.5 %). The use of headspace SPME was shown to be a convenient and effective analytical tool for the sampling of volatile compounds and it could be used to test the quality of flowers and essential oils from Lavandula species.

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Carla Da Porto

Department of Food Science

University of Udine

Via Marangoni 97

33100 Udine

Italy

Phone: +39-0432-590-728

Fax: +39-0432-590-719

Email: carla.daporto@uniud.it