.

ISSN 2063-5346
For urgent queries please contact : +918130348310

Essential Oil Composition of Laurus nobilis L. from Bethlehem Area

Main Article Content

Reem Zeitoun
» doi: 10.31838/ecb/2023.12.3.074

Abstract

Palestine, as part of the Mediterranean area, is famous in several aromatic plants rich in several essential oils with medical applications such as Laurus nobilis L. known as Bay tree. The dried leaves are used widely in cooking; the essential oil is generally used for flavors and scents. As a therapeutic plant, bay leaves have been used as a treatment for skin rashes andrheumatism. In addition, Laurel essential oil is important to the cosmetic industry; it is also used for the preparation of hair lotion due to its antidandruff activity and for the therapy of psoriasis. Laurus nobilis L. fruits are rich in fatty acid content and generally developed for the production of perfumed soaps and candles. The essential oil of leaves has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties too . The main chemical constituents of the essential oil include 1-8 Cineole, Pinene, Sabinene, Linalool, Eugenol, Terpinylacetate, MethylEugenol, as well as other esters and terponoids. Fruits contain fixed oil which is grease dark-green aromatic fluid. The research is concerned to check for the percentage of the important chemical ingredients between the leaves and fruits cultivated from different regions in Bethlehem Governorate and its variety in the Wet and Dry season for at least one year. The isolation of essential oils from bay leaves and fruits is done by hydro distillation followed by fractioning of the extractives by HPLC. The research will encourage farmers and the Palestinian community to plant such trees as a source for natural medical applications and flavors.

Article Details