Chemical composition of the essential oil of marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) from Reunion Island

Capillary gas chromatography, mass and FTIR spectrometry were used to analyse the composition of the water-distilled essential oil of marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) grown in Reunion Island located in Indian Ocean (21°S 55°E). Among 45 compounds recorded by gas chromatography, GC–MS and GC–FTIR 43 components were identified. The essential oil was found to be rich in terpinen-4-ol (38.4%), cis-sabinene hydrate (15.0%), p-cymene (7.0%) and γ-terpinene (6.9%). ©