Variation of the chemical composition of essential oils in Brazilian populations of Cunila menthoides Benth. (Lamiaceae)

Cunila menthoides Benth. is characterized as a xilopodiferous subshrub with strong and pleasant smell. This species is commonly used in South Brazilian folk medicine. Air-dried samples of four Brazilian populations of C. menthoides were extracted by steam distillation and analyzed using GS and GS–MS. A total of 15 volatile compounds were detected and identified. Two groups, which can be considered as chemotypes, were formed by the average linkage cluster analysis. The first group was characterized by high concentrations of pulegone, with some individuals showing variations to menthone; and the second group was characterized by high concentrations of linalool.

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