Abstract:

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used to analyze the chemical components in essential oil
of pomegranate flower. The free radical scavenging ability of the oil was assessed by using 1,1 dipheny1-2 picryl-hydrazyl
(DPPH) system and 2,2’-amino-di (2-ethyl -benzothiazoline sulphonic acid-6) ammonium salt (ABTS+·) system. The
results showed that 52 peaks were detected from the pomegranate flower oil and 32 compounds were identified, including
9 alkanes (5 naphthenic hydrocarbons and 4 straight-chain alkanes), 7 terpenes, 6 esters, 4 alcohols, 2 ketones and aldehydes,
1 alkaloid and sulfonate. The free radical scavenging capacity of the oil against ABTS+· and DPPH free radicals were 0.029 and
0.01 mg/mg vitamin C (VC) equivalent, respectively. These results indicate that pomegranate flower essential oil contains a
variety of chemical constituents with potential applications as a valuable natural resource.

Key words: pomegranate flower, essential oil, chemical constituents, antioxidant activity