Volatile constituents from aerial parts ofAloysia gratissima (Gillies & Hook.) Tronc. var.gratissima growing in Corrientes, Argentina

Aloysia gratissima (Gillies & Hook.) Tronc. is widely used in the northeast of Argentina as a medicinal plant. Aerial parts from this species were collected in three localities of the province of Corrientes (Argentina) during different seasonal stages. The essential oils were obtained by steam distillation and analyzed by GC-MS to determine its composition. The principal constituents were: β-elemene (tr to 35.7%); viridiflorol (0.9–33.6%); β-caryophyllene (1.8–28%); α-thujone (6.8–17.5%); 10-epi-cubebol (0.1–13.4%); bicyclogermacrene (3.8–12.8%); (E)-nerolidol (tr to 11.6%); and germacrene D (1.9–10.1%). These percentage variations found indicated significant variations associated with the ontogeny of the plant population and geographical origin of the material. These results also show remarkable differences with previously reported studies for this species.