Chemical composition and biological activity of the leaf essential oil of Callistemon citrinus from Nepal

Abstract

The chemical composition of the leaf essential oil of Callistemon citrinus from Nepal was determined by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Out of a total 47 compounds identified, the major component was found to be 1, 8-cineole (52.1%), while α-terpineol (14.7%) and eugenol (14.2%) were other substantial components. The essential oil components from Nepalese C. citrinus possessed eugenol in higher quantity than the samples from some other geographical locations. The essential oil was screened for antimicrobial, cytotoxic, larvicidal, nematicidal, and insecticidal activity. C. citrinus oil showed insecticidal activity against the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and termites (Reticulitermes virginicus).