M. Kürkçüoglu, Gökalp Iscan, Temel Ozek, K.H.C. Baser* and Sevim Alan

Abstract: The water distilled essentials oil from the aerial parts of Calamintha betulifolia Boiss. et Bal. collected from three different localities in Turkey were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Fifty six to seventy nine components representing 80.6–93.0 % of the oils were characterized. Pulegone (26-54 %) was found as the main constituent. The antimicrobial effects of C. betulifolia essential oil are reported here for the first time.

Plant materials were collected from the following localities in Turkey. Voucher specimens are kept at the Herbarium of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University in Eskisehir, Turkey (ESSE). A : Icel; Gozne on July 11, 2003 (ESSE 14394) B : Icel; Tarsus, Namrun, Camli Yayla, Guzeldere valley on July 12, 2003 (ESSE 14395) C : Icel; Tarsus, Daripinari village, Guzeldere valley on July 12, 2003 (ESSE 14396) Aerial parts were subjected to water distillation for 3h using a Clevenger-type apparatus to yield oils in the following percentages: 0.4%, 0.4% and 0.8% for A, B and C, respectively.