Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw) Excell: Volatile oil constituents and antimicrobial activity

Abstract

The volatile oils obtained by hydrodistillation from Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Exell., (African nutmeg), Myristicaceae, have been investigated by GC and GC-MS. The main components of the bark oil are α-bergamotene (25.1%), terpinen-4-ol (16.6%), α-terpineol (15.6%) and trans-β-bergamotene (12.9%). Only two compounds, spathulenol (82.0%) and caryophyllene oxide (14.0%), could be identified in the leaf oil. In addition, the volatile oils displayed promising antimicrobial activity against the tested bacterial and fungal species.