Components of Essential Oil from the Root of Glycyrrhiza glabra

Abstract

The composition of the essential oil from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra (medicinal herb) was studied. The oil yield was 0. 047% by steam distillation, and 82 components of the volatile compounds were identified by GC and GC-MS. The main characteristic aroma was concentrated by sillicagel column chromatography in a fraction with n-hexane : ether (5 : 5). The following compounds were confirmed to be present : estragole (methyl chavicol), anethole, eugenol, indole accompanied with f-nonalactone and cumic alcohol. The aroma of this essential oil was considered to be a result of a favorable combination of these compounds. (Received April 23, 1987). © 1987, Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry. All rights reserved.