Volatile components from Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm.

The volatile components of fresh leaves and roots from Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm., obtained through hydrodistillation, were analysed by GC and GC–MS. This was compared to dichloromethane extracts of both fresh and dried leaf and root material. The monoterpene fraction (69–70%) dominated, while β-phellandrene (39–45%) was the main component in both the leaf and the root oil. Other components in the leaf oil were β-myrcene (17%), sabinene (6.2%), Z-β-ocimene (5.4%) and benzene acetaldehyde (4.1%). In the roots we found Z-β-ocimene (16.9%) and α-pinene (4.6%) as other major components. These principle constituents of both essential oils were also present in the dichloromethane extracts of the fresh and dried leaves and the roots, although in much smaller percentages. Comparing hydrodistillation of fresh plant material with a dichloromethane extract, the latter yielded a considerably lower amount of constituents. In addition, air drying and freeze drying resulted in a significant loss of volatile constituents as compared to fresh material (dichloromethane extract).