Components of the Essential Oil ofSaussurea involucrata(Kar. et Kir.) ex Maxim

ABSTRACT The chemical composition of the essential oil of the air-dried above ground material of Saussurea involucrata of Chinese origin was investigated by a combination of techniques such as capillary GC, GC/MS, IR and 1H-NMR. Although 45 compounds were identified, the main components were palmitic acid (21.29%), dihydrodehydrocostus lactone (16.86%), n-propyl acetate (10.96%), lauric acid (8.48%) and dehydrocostus lactone (7.83%).