Volatile constituents of Psidium Guajava l. (guava) fruits

Abstract
The chemical composition of the volatile oil of guava fruits from trees grown in Nigeria was investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). A total of 25 compounds accounting for 80% of the oil were identified. Free fatty acids (mainly lauric and myristic acids) were the most abundant group of constituents (34 %). Large amounts of β‐caryophyllene and oxygen‐containing sesquiterpenes (25 %) were also typical for Nigerian guava. Caryophylladienols are reported as guava volatiles for the first time.