Volatile flavour components of ocimum basilicum var. hispidum (lam.) Chiov.

The volatile components obtained by steam-distillation ofOcimum basilicum var. hispidum (Lam.) Chiov. (Labiatae) were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 21 compounds, representing ca 90% of the total oil, were identified. The identity of the main component (82%), dihydrotagetone, was confirmed by 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. This is the first report of this compound in the genus Ocimum.