Analysis of white pepper essential oil components using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy

Abstract

Introduction: White pepper is an important commodity used to produce essential oils. Differences in the oil components are determined by which region the peppers used were sourced from. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the components of the essential oils produced by white peppers from different regions and to examine the specificity of these peppers. Methods: This analysis was carried out using the chromatography gas – mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) method on essential oil samples made from peppers obtained from the Java, Sumatera, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi Islands. Results: The results showed that white pepper essential oil contains 22 components, and that α-pinene, ꞵ–pinene, ∆-carene, sabinene, dl-limonene, and caryophyllene were major compounds within the oils. Furthermore, it showed that α-pinene, sabinene, and caryophyllene compounds were most found in samples from the Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Sulawesi Islands respectively. Meanwhile, those from Java Island contained ꞵ – pinene, ∆-carene, and caryophyllene in similar quantities.