Chemical Composition of Essential Oils of Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss. From Morocco

The chemical composition of the essential oils of branches and flowers of Retama monosperma from Morocco was investigated. In branches sixteen compounds were identified. The oil consisted mainly of alkanes (31.8%), nor-isoprenoids (25.4%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. Analysis of the flowers oil resulted in the identification of twenty-three constituents. The flowers oil revealed the presence of alkanes (25.8%), fatty acids (56.7%), fatty acid esters (6.7%) and nor-isoprenoids (3.1%) as the main subclasses. Hexadecanoic acid (0-30.6%), stearic acid (4-13%), heptacosane (4.6-12.9%), pentacosane (10.9-12.2%), (E)-phytol (0-11.6%), oleic acid (0-11.3%), caryophyllene oxide (0.2-10.5%), beta-damascone (0.1-6.5%) and beta-damascenone (0.7-5%) were dominant compounds in the analysed essential oils. The results may suggest that volatile oils of Retama monosperma from Morocco can be used in perfumery, flavouring, cosmetics and toiletries.