ABSTRACT
As with most genera, Melaleuca contains a variety of primary and secondary metabolites. The volatile oil constituents of M. alternifolia and closely related species are the compounds responsible for the commercial development of Melaleuca as a medicinal and aromatic plant. Consequently the most frequently investigated aspects of the chemistry of tea tree concern the identification of these volatile oil constituents. As considerably less is known about the genus’s primary metabolite tannins, polyphenols, waxes, amino acids and betaine constituents these will only receive brief mention. The constituents of the other Melaleuca species will be outlined in later chapters in this volume.
