Composition of essential oil, concrete, absolute and SPME analysis of Tagetes patula capitula

The chemical compositions of essential oil, concrete, absolute from the capitula of Tagetes patula (family Asteraceae) were analysed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The major compounds identified were (Z)-β-ocimene, (E)-β-ocimene, terpinolene, (Z)-ocimenone, (E)-ocimenone and δ-elemene. In addition, the volatiles of live and plucked capitula (flowers) were analysed by SPME technique using PDMS/DVB/CAR fiber. The SPME-GC-FID analyses of live capitula showed that the volatiles were rich in monoterpenoids in comparison to the plucked capitula. On the other hand, the plucked capitula recorded with significant increase in sesquiterpenoids in comparison to the living capitula.

► The yield of the Tagetes patula capitula essential oil is poor and it is rich in terpene hydrocarbons. ► The capitula concrete contains nearly 50% of waxy materials and it is not suitable for use in pharmaceuticals or high grade perfumery. ► The absolute is rich in terpenoids along with very few percentages of waxy materials, might be used in pharmaceuticals or high grade perfumery. ► The direct analyses of plucked and living capitula are giving altogether different fragrance composition.