Chemical composition of essential oils from Pinus caribaea Morelet needles

Plant allelochemicals from essential oils have recently received considerable attention in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural sectors due to their biodegradability and low toxicity. This study analyzed the composition of essential oils of Pinus caribaea Morelet var. hondurensis needles. Thirty-nine compounds were identified using gas chromatography/mass chromatography and gas chromatography, and the most abundant components were limonene (38.6%), α-pinene (27.6%), borneol (6.7%) and myrcene (3.5%). Aristolene, ledol and guaiol were reported for the first time in P. caribeae needles. Composition of the needles was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (77.2%) followed by oxygenated monoterpenes (12.0%), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (4.7%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (1.7%).