Essential oil composition of Laurus nobilis L. of different growth stages growing in Iran.

The chemical variations of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) have been studied. Plant material has been harvested at each phenological status (vegetative, before anthesis, full flowering and seed-bearing). The oils were obtained by hydrodistillation of the air-dried samples. Analysis by GC and GC-MS of the essential oils has allowed to identify 39 compounds. The main compounds were 1,8-cineole, trans-sabinene hydrate, alpha-terpinyl acetate, methyl eugenol, sabinene, eugenol and alpha-pinene.