Chemical composition of the essential oil of different parts of Bellis annua L. (Asteraceae) collected in Sicily (Italy)

Abstract

The genus Bellis L. (Asteraceae) comprises 14 species as annual or perennial herbs, native to Macaronesia, N. Africa, Europe to Central Asia and W. Himalaya. Some species, mainly Bellis perennis L., have been used in traditional medicine. In the present study, the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) from flowers (Baf), leaves and stems (Bals) of Bellis annua L., collected in Sicily, a species, growing in Canary Islands, Mediterranean to Iran, were analysed by GC-MS. Considering that no previous work has been published on the EO of this species, it represents an important data to expand the knowledge on it. Monoterpene hydrocarbons (91.3%) were the principal classes of Baf with β-myrcene (75.3%), by far as principal compound, followed by β-pinene (12.8%). Main constituents of Bals were hexadecanal (45.7%) β-myrcene (75.3%). The chemical profile of the EOs presented herein were compared with previously investigated Bellis taxa oils reported by literature.