Characterisation and comparison of volatile compounds in leaves and stems essential oils of Heliotropium bacciferum (forssk.), a medicinal plant native to Algeria, by gC-mS analysis

The present study investigated the essential oil constituents of medicinal plant used in traditional medicine, specifically those growing in the Bashar region of Algeria. Essential oils were extracted through steam distillation from the leaves and stems of Heliotropium bacciferum Forssk. The oils were then analysed using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The essential oils from the leaves and stems of H. bacciferum contained 46 and 42 components, respectively, making up 94.0% and 94.1% of their compositions. The main components in leaves oil were linalool (15.17%), hexadecatrien-1-ol (13.87%), and phytol (6.67%), while in stems oil; the main constituents were pentacosane (14.87%), linalool (6.24%), and nonacosane (4.67%). These findings highlight the chemical composition of H. bacciferum essential oils and suggest the need for further pharmacological research to explore their therapeutic potential.