Identification of volatile constituents of Tambourissa leptophylla.

The volatile fraction of Tambourissa leptophylla fruit skin was extracted by petrol ether, purified by adsorption chromatography (LPC) and analysed by gas chromatographic-spectroscopic methods. 27 non-oxygenated terpene hydrocarbons and 10 oxygenated derivatives were identified. The most abundant components were: limonene (24.0%), cis-alpha-bergamotene (23.2%), delta-3-carene (8.2%), alpha-curcumene (6.0%), trans-alpha-bergamotene (5.1%), alpha-copaene (4.1%), alpha-pinene (4.0%), p-cymene (4.0%) and bicyclogermacrene (3.3%). The crude volatile fraction was tested in vitro against Cladosporium cucumerinum in direct bioautography on TLC plates on the basis of the antifungal use of fruit skin. Activity of petrol ether extract against this micro-organism was demonstrated.