Abstract
The constituents of several imported clove oils (Eugenia caryophyllata Thumb) were examined to distinguish the difference in infrared absorption band intensity at 1765 cm-1. Gas chromatography was carried out with a Shimadzu GC5A PF equipped with an FID {5% PEG-20M, 2 m×3 mm i.d., glass column, (80240)°C, 5°C/min}. Mass spectrometric identification of the constituents was investigated with a Hitachi RMU 6E spectrometer coupled with a K-53 gas chromatograph {5% PEG-20M, 2 m×3 mm i.d., (70220)°C, 4°C/min}. The alkali extraction method using 1N sodium hydroxide solution effectively separated eugenol, main constituent of clove oil, from ether solution of the oil. Non phenollic fractions thus obtained were concentrated and used for GC-MS measurement. The identification of oxygenated compounds in the ether fraction revealed that the differences of the absorption band intensity at 1765 cm-1 were attributed to the quantity of eugenol acetate.
