Abstract

Syzygium afromontanum is a medium-sized evergreen tree which is rarely tree or shrubs. It is used traditionally for therapeutic purposes and treatment of ailments. This research is aimed at characterizing the volatile substituents of the stem-bark of S. afromontanum. The essential oil of the stem-bark of S. afromontanum, was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by Gas chromatography - mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The essential oil was dominated by 9 constituents, representing 100% of the volatile oil were identified. The stem-bark oil was characterized by high sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (44.2%), and high oygenated monoterpeniods (33.5%). The major constituents are; alpha-terpineol (25%), trans-a-bergamortene (24.4%), hexadecanal (12.3%), linalool (8.5%), trans-calamenene (8.2%), a-santalene (7.7%), geranyl acetone (5.7%), trans-B-bergamotene (4.4%), and phytone (4.4%). The result of the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil is still awaiting at the time of writing of this research.

Key words:   Keywords: Syzygium afromontanum, Essential oil, Hydrodistillation, a-terpineol and Trans-a-bergamotene   Keywords: Syzygium afromontanum, Essential oil, Hydrodistillation, a-terpineol and Trans-a-bergamotene   Keywords: Syzygium afromontanum, Essential oil, Hydrodistillation, a-terpineol and Trans-a-bergamotene