Assessment of the sesquiterpenic profile of Ferula gummosa oleo-gum-resin (galbanum) from Iran. Contributes to its valuation as a potential source of sesquiterpenic compounds

The sesquiterpenic composition of the essential oil of Iranian oleo-gum-resin Ferula gummosa Boiss was studied by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC–ToFMS). A total of 106 sesquiterpenic compounds, including 61 hydrocarbons, 29 alcohols, 2 aldehydes, 10 oxides, 2 ketones, 1 furan, and 1 epoxide, were tentatively identified. From these, 68 are reported for the first time in F. gummosa species. Moreover, the most abundant sesquiterpenic compounds detected were the alcohols bulnesol, α-eudesmol, and α-bisabolol. This work allowed to achieve a deep characterization of the sesquiterpenic composition of F. gummosa oil, a crucial step in the bioprospection of this biomass plant material as a source of sesquiterpenic compounds. Furthermore, this approach can promote the market confidence allowing a more efficient quality control and preventing adulterations.

► The sesquiterpenic composition of the essential oil of galbanum from Iran was studied by GC × GC–ToFMS.
► A total of 106 sesquiterpenic compounds belonging to different chemical families were identified.
► From the 106 sesquiterpenic compounds, 68 were reported for the first time in Ferula gummosa.
► Deep analysis of sesquiterpenic composition of galbanum oil is a crucial step in the bioprospection of this plant material.