The Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Mastic Gum

Abstract
The essential oil, which was obtained by steam distillation from two qualities of mastic gum, was subjected to analysis by GC and GC/MS. It was found that the oil contained 62 constituents, 61 of which were identified. The main components were α-pinene (58.86–77.10%), camphene (0.75–1.04%), β-pinene (1.26–2.46%), myrcene (0.23–12.27%), linalool (0.45–3.71%), and β-caryophyllene (0.70–1.47%). These six components total more than 90% of the oil. Some qualitative and quantitative differences were found between the two oils.