Aroma Components and Antioxidant Activities of Pure Rosemary Essential Oil Goods Produced in Different Countries

Abstract

Thirty-one units of pure rosemary essential oil (EO) in domestic and foreign distribution markets were collected. Aromatic components of these samples were analyzed and antioxidant activity was measured. As the result, major aromatic components were identified such as alpha-pinene, camphene, beta-pinene, 1.8-cineole, verbenone and borneol. Major components of rosemary EO were different according to countries. Essential oil from France had good quality. Essential oil cultivated and extracted in South Korea had more content than the collected essential oil in components of a-pinene and camphene. Only 16% of the total 31 unit samples satisfied the content of 9 ingredients presented by ISO. The quality of EDA was shown as 4.8-96.0%, remarkable differences per specimen. A total of 31 units, only 13% of EO showed more than 60% antioxidant activity. Difference of antioxidant activity did not correspond with specific component. Essential oil from Swiss had high antioxidant activity.