GC-MS analysis of lemon catnip (Nepeta cataria L. var. citriodora Balbis) essential oil

The essential oil of the herb Nepeta cataria L. var. citriodora was obtained by hydrodistillation in Dean-Stark apparatus and by steam distillation. The chemical composition of the oil was determined by GC-MS. Two different GC oven temperature programs were tested. The main constituents of all the samples studied were the monoterpene alcohols (R)-(+)-β-citronellol and geraniol. The largest amounts of monoterpene aldehydes (geranial and neral) were found in the hydrodistilled oil. α-Amyrin (a precursor of ursolic acid) was also detected in the oil. trans-Rose oxide, α-terpineol, geranic acid, and trace amount of rose-oxide were found in the steam distilled oil only.