Chemical Compositions of Commercial Essential Oils From Coriandrum sativum Fruits and Aerial Parts

Coriander and cilantro, the fruit and herb of Coriandrum sativum, are popular additives in various cuisines worldwide. The essential oils derived from coriander and cilantro are also popular and have shown some remarkable biological properties and health benefits. In this report, we have analyzed the essential oil compositions of 19 commercial coriander and 28 commercial cilantro essential oil samples by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) techniques. In addition, 5 coriander and 4 cilantro commercial essential oil samples were analyzed by chiral GC–MS. Commercial coriander essential oil is dominated by linalool (62.2%-76.7%) with lesser quantities of α-pinene (0.3%-11.4%), γ-terpinene (0.6%-11.6%), and camphor (0.0%-5.5%). Commercial cilantro essential oil is composed largely of (2 E)-decenal (16.0%-46.6%), linalool (11.8%-29.8%), (2 E)-decen-1-ol (0.0%-24.7%), decanal (5.2%-18.7%), (2 E)-dodecenal (4.1%-8.7%), and 1-decanol (0.0%-9.5%). The enantiomeric distribution of linalool was 87% (+)-linalool:13% (−)-linalool in both coriander and cilantro essential oils, while α-pinene was 93% (+):7% (−) in coriander, 90% (+):10% (−) in cilantro; and (+)-camphor:(−)-camphor was 13%:87% in both essential oils. Chiral GC–MS analysis was able to detect an adulterated coriander essential oil sample. The data provided in this study serves to establish a baseline for future evaluations of these essential oils as well as a screen for authenticity or adulteration.