Volatile Components of the Wood of Spanish Cedar, Cedrela odorata, from Costa Rica

Abstract

Cedrela odorata, “cedro amargo”, is a valuable lumber tree, which has fragrant smelling wood. The essential oil from the wood of Cedrela odorata from Guanacaste, Costa Rica, was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. The wood oil was rich in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, including δ-cadinene (26%), β-curcumene (13%), and calarene (6%). In comparison, a commercial C. odorata wood oil sample from Colombia was dominated by δ-cadinene (53%), along with germacrene D (4%). The pleasant aroma and chemical components of C. odorata wood essential oil suggest that it may be an important resource for the cosmetic and flavor industries.