Phytochemical Profile and In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Essential Oils from Powder Fractions of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Leaves

Abstract

Dried leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis were finely grinded and fractionated by sieving into four granulometric classes (355 μm). The obtained powder fractions were used for essential oil (EO) extraction by hydrodistillation and their phytochemical profile and in vitro antioxidant activities were evaluated. The mother powder (unsieved powder) was used for comparison. Particle size exerted a significant influence (p in vitro antioxidant properties of the EOs. Comparatively, the mother powder had the highest contents of α-pinene (55.6%), camphene (3.4%) and limonene (3.7%), while 1,8-cineole (26.6% and 22.4%), exo-fenchol (5.6% and 3.5%), α-campholenol (4.2% and 3.4%), L-trans-pinocarveol (5.5% and 2.7%), L-borneol (12.6% and 6.8%) and α-terpineol (16.4% and 7.6%) are the main compounds of EOs from the E. camaldulensis leaves. Finer powders could be used as functional ingredients in food formulations for the management of chronic diseases.