Chemical composition of leaves, inflorescence, whole aerial-parts and root essential oils of patchouli {Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth.}

The essential oils extracted from the leaves, inflorescence, whole aerial-parts and root of patchouli [Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth.] were analyzed and compared using GC-FID and GC-MS. Altogether thirty-four constituents, representing 86.9–97.7% of the total oil compositions, were identified. Major constituents of the oils of aerial-parts (leaves, inflorescence and whole aerial-parts) were patchouli alcohol (42.2–57.7%), α-bulnesene (9.0–15.2%), α-guaiene (6.4–17.9%), seychellene (3.4–6.9%), pogostol (0.3–5.0%) and (E)-caryophyllene (2.1–3.6%). However, the root oil was characterized by higher amount of pogostone (70.2%), norpatchoulenol (5.3%) and β-pinene (4.5%).