Phytochemical composition of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), white pepper (Piper album L.) and fragrant pepper (Pimenta dioica L.) essential oils

The benefits of spices used daily for human health are also noticeable in traditional medicine and modern studies. Different species of pepper are characterized by an abundance of essential oils, in which valuable compounds accumulate. The main phytochemical compounds are found in peppers 3-karen, D-limonene, α-copaene, α-caryophylene, β-caryophylene and piperine [1]. Piperine has been shown to have a chemoprevention and antioxidant value and has a protective effect against radiation [2]. Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), white pepper (Piper album L.) and fragrant pepper (Pimenta dioica L.), essential oils was prepared by hydrodistillation and liquid extraction methods. Gas chromatography with a mass spectrometer is commonly used to identify phytochemical compounds. The main compounds of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), essential oil are 3-karen (25.99%), D-limonene (22.17%), caryophylene (13.28%), β-pinene (12.75%). The main compounds of fragrant pepper (Pimenta dioica L.) are caryophylene (63.11%), β-mircene (11.54%), eugenol (8.52%) and eucalyptol (6.96%). White pepper (Piper album L.), essential oil main compounds are 3-karen (26.22%), caryophylene (16.42%), D-limonene (17.83%) and β-pinene (11.66%)Gamtos mokslų fakultetasInstrumentinės analizės APCVytauto Didžiojo universiteta