ABSTRACT
Essential oils (EOs) are very interesting natural plant products. Among other qualities, they possess various biological properties. The term “biological” comprises all activities that these mixtures of volatile compounds (mainly mono-and sesquiterpenoids, benzenoids, phenylpropanoids, etc.) exert on humans, animals, and other plants. This book intends to make the reader acquainted with all aspects of EOs and their constituent aromachemicals ranging from chemistry, pharmacology, biological activity, production, trade uses, and regulatory aspects. After an overview of research and development activities on EOs with a historical perspective (Chapter 2), Chapter 3 “Sources of Essential Oils” gives an expert insight into vast sources of EOs. The chapter also touches upon a gronomic aspects of EO-bearing plants. Traditional and modern production techniques of EOs are illustrated and discussed in Chapter 4. It is followed by two important chapters “Chemistry of Essential Oils” (Chapter 5) and “Analysis of Essential Oils” (Chapter 6) illustrating chemical di versity of EOs, and analytical techniques employed for the analyses of these highly complex mixtures of volatiles.
