Identification of phytoconstituents in oil of Melaleuca alternifolia through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree oil) is strong antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal agent belonging to family Myrtaceae. This essential oil is also known by other common names such as ‘Cajupat oil’ or ‘Australian tea tree oil’ because the plant species producing it are native to that region. It has also been examined for its effects in various superficial infections such as tinea, acne, oral candidiasis, and cold sores. The present study was carried out to identify the functional compounds through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in oil of Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and its significance with antimicrobial properties. The vibration assignments, intensities and wavenumbers of dominant peaks were obtained by absorption of the spectrum. Terpinen-4-ol and 1, 8-cineole was found to be the main compound in the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia on FTIR analysis.