Volatile constituents of leaf,stem and root oils of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

Gas-chromatographic analysis of the volatile oils of the leaves, stem-bark and root-bark of commercial cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), grown in Sri Lanka revealed interesting differences between them. All three oils possessed the same array of monoterpene hydrocarbons though in different proportions. The main constituents of leaf, bark and root oils are eugenol, cinnamaldehyde and camphor, respectively. Besides these, several other significant differences were observed. α-Ylangene, methyl and ethyl cinnamate in leaf oil, benzyl benzoate in bark oil and 4-terpinene-1-ol in root-bark oil are reported for the first time.