Composition of the extract in dichloromethane of the aerial parts of a Spanish wild growing plant Thymus vulgaris L.

The yield and composition of the volatile fraction of the dichloromethane extract of the aerial parts of a Spanish wild growing plant, Thymus vulgaris L., have been studied. The main components are 1,8-cineole and linalool, a chemotype not described before in Thymus vulgaris L. Oxygenated terpene derivatives constitute 42% of the total components; saturated hydrocarbons of high molecular weight, 25%; oxygenated sesquiterpene derivatives, monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, 4%, 3% and 1.6% respectively. In addition, some fatty acids, aldehydes, phytosterols, flavanones, vitamin E and other compounds have also been detected. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.