Identification of Some Chemical Components of the Essential Oil from Molasses Grass (Melinis minutiflora Beauv.) and their Activity Against Cattle-Tick (Boophilus microplus)

The essential oil of molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora Beauv.) has shown virtually 100% lethal effect on larvae of the cattle-tick (Boophilus microplus) within 10 min exposure. GC/MS analysis of the essential oil led to the identification of six major components: propionic acid, butyric acid, phenylethyl alcohol, hexanal, 1,8-cineole and 9 -E-eicosene. Two of those components (1,8-cineole and n-hexanal) have also shown individually 100% lethal effect on cattle-tick larvae within 10 min. The presence of 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol was assigned to a contaminant from commercially supplied diethyl ether used for the essential oil extraction

GC-MS analysis and cardiovascular activity of the essential oil of Ocotea duckei

The essential oils obtained by steam distillation from the roots, stems, leaves and fruits of Ocotea duckei had their composition analyzed by GC-MS. The pharmacological activity of these oils was also evaluated showing significant cardiovascular effects. Forty-nine substances were identified, consisting of a complex mixture of monoterpenes (45%) and sesquiterpenes (55%). The fruits yielded (1.9%) more essential oil than the stems (1.0%), roots (0.8%) and leaves (0.7%). The main component in the oil of the leaves was trans-caryophyllene (60.54%), in the stem bark beta-eudesmol (27.51%) and in the fruits, dl-limonene (30.12%). The predominant essential oil component in the roots was elemol (24.31%). In non-anaesthetized normotensive rats, the essential oils from different parts of Ocotea duckei (leaves, fruits, stem and roots) induced significant (p < 0.05) hypotension followed by bradycardia