Terpenoid diversity in the leaf essential oils of Himalayan Lauraceae species.

The leaf terpenoid compositions of nine Lauraceae species, viz., Neolitsea pallens, Lindera pulcherrima, Dodecadenia grandiflora, Persea duthiei, Persea odoratissima, Persea gamblei, Phoebe lanceolata, Cinnamomum tamala, and Cinnamomum camphora, collected from the Himalayan region (India) were examined by GC, GC/MS, and NMR analyses in order to determine the similarities and differences among their volatile constituents. Furano-sesquiterpenoids were the principal constituents of N. pallens, L. pulcherrima, and D. grandiflora. (E)-Nerolidol, limonene, beta-pinene, and alpha-pinene were the major constituents of P. duthiei; alpha-pinene, sabinene, and beta-caryophyllene were predominant in P. odoratissima, while the oils of P. gamblei and P. lanceolata possessed beta-caryophyllene as common major constituent. C. camphora and C. tamala were marked by the presence of camphor and cinnamaldehyde, respectively. Cluster analysis of the oil composition was carried out in order to discern the differences and similarities within nine species of six genera of Lauraceae.