The Chemical and Enantioselective Analysis of a New Essential Oil Produced by the Native Andean Species Aiouea dubia (Kunth) Mez from Ecuador

Abstract

The present study constitutes the first description of an essential oil, distilled from the leaves of the native Andean species Aiouea dubia (Kunth) Mez. The qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out through GC–MS and GC-FID respectively, using two columns coated with stationary phases of different polarity. The qualitative composition was determined by comparison of linear retention indices and mass spectra with data from literature, whereas the quantitative composition was obtained through external calibration, calculating the relative response factor of each compound according to the respective combustion enthalpy. Major constituents (≥3.0 on at least one column) of A. dubia EO, on a nonpolar and a polar stationary phase respectively, were germacrene D (12.2%–11.7%), γ-muurolene (7.6%–7.2%), limonene (6.8%–6.2%), δ-cadinene (6.4%–5.9%), cyclosativene (6.0%–5.5%), and (E)-β-caryophyllene (4.4%–4.0%). The enantioselective analysis was also conducted on two different columns, based on β-cyclodextrin as chiral selector. A total of 11 chiral terpenes and terpenoids were analyzed, of which (1S,5S)-(−)-α-pinene and (1R,6S)-(−)-3-carene were enantiomerically pure, whereas the others were observed as scalemic mixtures. Cosmeceutical science could be the main application field for this volatile fraction. In fact, the high content of limonene and (E)-β-caryophyllene suggested that this EO could present antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, like other volatile fractions of similar composition.