LAUSR

Abstract Essential oils obtained from six species of Helichrysum (H. archimedeum C. Brullo & Brullo, H. errerae Tineo, H. hyblaeum Brullo, H. orientale (L.) Vaill., H. panormitanum Tineo ex Guss. subsp. panormitanum, H. serotinum subsp. picardii (Boiss. & Reut.) Galbany, L. Saez & Benedi) grown in Italy were analyzed by GC-MS. One hundred seventeen components were identified representing 90.1–98.5% of the total chemical composition, mainly characterized by sesquiterpenes and monoterpene compounds. All the analyzed oils showed a monoterpene content ranging from 7.8% (H. serotinum subsp. picardii) to 50.9% (H. errerae), while sesquiterpene compounds ranging from 28.5% (H. errerae) to 77.9% (H. archimedeum). α-pinene (39.6% H. hyblaeum and 32.0% H. errerae, respectively), β-caryophyllene (23.8%, H. panormitanum subsp. panormitanum), β-selinene (20.8%, H. archimedeum) and β-eudesmol (19.1%, H. orientalis and 17.2% H. orientale, respectively) were the main constituents. This is the first report on the essential oil composition of H. archimedeum, H. errerae, H. hyblaeum, H. panormitanum subsp. panormitanum, H. serotinum subsp. picardii.