Analysis of surface and volatile compounds of flower heads of Flourensia thurifera (MOL) D.C.

Abstract

Surface compounds were obtained by a methylene chloride extraction of fresh flower heads of Flourensia thurifera. The methylene chloride extract was purified by column chromatography and analyzed by GC-MS, leading to the identification of several monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and diterpenes. A hydrocarbon fraction of n-alkanes from C23 to C31 and C33 was also identified. Headspace analysis of the fresh flower heads was also carried out. Different proportions of the same mono- and some of the sesquiterpenes were identified in the volatile fraction. The presence of mono- and sesquiterpenes in the flower heads is in agreement with the fact that these families of compounds have been identified in other Flourensia species. © 2007 Sociedad Chilena de Química.