Seasonal changes of essential oil composition of Eucalyptus maculata Hook.

Eucalyptus is a growing tree used for agro-forestry, industrial and medical consumptionsE. maculata Hook. is one of the most important species of eucalyptus from chemical components and medical applications point of view. The leaves of E. maculata were collected in various seasons from Khuzestan provinces (tropical region station Dezfoul, Safi Abad). Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and were analysed by GC and GC/MS. The highest and the lowest essential oil yields were found in autumn and spring, respectively. Major compositions were 1,8-cineole (22.5% in winter), citronellal (15% in spring) and citronellol (35% in summer). The most perfumed compositions were in summer (46%). Also the most compound was citronellol in the whole seasons and citronellyl acetate amount had fixed in the whole year.