Leaf oil from Vepris madagascarica (Rutaceae), source of (E)-anethole.

The volatile components isolated from leaves of Vepris madagascarica (Baillon) H. Perier (Rutaceae), an endemic species of north-eastern, sub-humid forests of Madagascar, were investigated by GC (Retention Indices), GC-MS and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Oil samples obtained on laboratory and industrial scales exhibited similar composition, dominated by phenylpropanoids. (E)-anethole (78.2% and 78.6%) was the major component followed by estragole (15.6% and 15.4%). In addition, trunk bark oil also contained (E)-anethole as its major component (84.6%), as well as various sesquiterpenes in low contents.