Abstract
The volatiles present in the above ground parts of Silaum silaus (L.) Schinz et Thell. (Apiaceae), pepper saxifrage, were analysed by GC/MS and GC. The fractions investigated were the distilled oil, n-hexane extracts and solid phase microextracts (SPME) of the different plant parts. Myristicin was the main volatile compound in the fruits, followed by (E)-β-ocimene. The leaves and stems contained α-pinene, myristicin, (Z)-β-ocimene and (E)-β-ocimene as major compounds in the essential oil. Additionally, in a root headspace sample 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde was the main compound.
