Aromatic plants of tropical central Africa. V. volatile components of three zingiberaceae from Cameroon: Aframomum melegueta (roscoe) K. Schum., A. Daniellii (hook. f.) K. Schum. and A. Sulcatum (oliv. and hanb.) K. Schum.

The essential oils from the seeds of Aframomum melegueta (Roscoe) K. Schum., A. danielli (Hook. f.) K. Schum. and A. sulcatum (Olive. and Hanb.) K. Schum. by hydrodistillation were analysed by GLC and GC‐MS. The essential oil of A. melegueta presents a characteristic composition with β‐caryophyllene(8.5%), α‐humulene(31.3%) and their epoxides (respectively 17.9% and 27.7%) as main constituents. With its high content of 1,8‐cineole(48.9%), the A. danielli oil can be related to other species of the same genus already studied. The sesquiterpenoid content of A. sulcatum amounts to about 85%, mainly hydrocarbons (81%); among them, the guaienes are the most abundant (47.2%). Other constituents that are important markers of individual species include linalol ( A. melegueta ), β‐, limonene and α‐terpineol ( A. daniellii ), limonene and β‐selinene ( A. sulcatum ).