Identification of bioactive components of essential oils in Heracleum sosnowskyi and Heracleum mantegazzianum (Apiaceae)

Abstract

The contents and composition of essential oils obtained from Heracleum sosnowskyi and Heracleum mantegazzianum (Apiaceae) were examined. essential oils were investigated by the GC/MS method. The composition of hogweeds’ essential oils was examined in order to determine toxic compounds that could have a direct influence on the health of people and animals living in close proximity to both species. It was found that the essential oils, except for derivatives of coumarins, contain numerous toxic compounds, e.g. isobutyl isobutyrate, isoamyl butyrate, hexyl hexanoate, 1-hexadecanol etc. No significant differences were found in the chemical composition of the examined seed samples of Heracleum, which confirms the suggestions that the species can be closely related.

Keywords

• Heracleum sosnowskyi
• Heracleum mantegazzianum
• oil composition
• GC-MS
• Poland