Comparative analysis of the volatiles from flowers and leaves of three Gentiana species

The volatiles from fresh flowers and leaves of Gentiana lutea L., Gentiana punctata L. (yellow Gentiana spp.) and Gentiana asclepiadea L. (Gentianaceae Juss.) were analyzed by GC/MS and 81 compounds identified. The samples studied showed differences in the volatile profiles of flowers and leaves among the species. In the flower-oils straight chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons were dominant along with low concentrations of branched saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and alkylated benzenes. These compounds were not present in the flowers of G. lutea and G. punctata and in the leaves of G. lutea. The branched saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons were the main constituents of the leaf-oil from G. ascleapidea. Terpenes were found in all flower-oils and in the leaf oil from G. punctata. Some of the identified compounds might have allelopathic activity. The results obtained confirm the accepted taxonomical scheme of the genus Gentiana and are also in agreement with the evolutionary less advanced position of the yellow species of Gentiana.