Studies on essential oils, part 28 : Chemical composition, antifungal and insecticidal activities of rhizome volatile oil of Homalomena aromatica Schott

HPLC and GC–MS analysis of rhizome oil of Homalomena aromatica showed the presence of 39 components accounting for 96.9% of the total oil. The major component was linalool (62.1%), followed by terpinen-4-ol (17.2%), α-terpineol (2.4%), γ-terpinene (1.9%), α-cadinol (1.5%), geraniol (1.4%), nerol (1.4%), α-terpinene (1.0%), spatulenol (1.0%) and T-cadinol (1.0%). However, the higher percentage of linalool (87.5%) was obtained in HPLC studies. This oil showed good antifungal activity against Curvularia pallescens, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium graminearum as well as also showing insecticidal behaviour against white termite (Odontotermes obesus Rhamb.). Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.