Coumarin-Containing Grass: Volatiles from Sweet Vernalgrass (Anthoxanthum odoratumL.)

Anthoxanthum odoratum, which is a coumarin containing grass, was investigated for its volatile components. The essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the fresh leaves and hay, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major volatile component of both leaf and hay oil was coumarin (96.3% and 46.8%, respectively). Aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, phenols, terpenes, hydrocarbons and acids were also identified in both oils. Their amounts were higher in the hay oil compared to the oil from fresh leaves.