Chemical composition of the essential oil of different parts of <i>Bellis annua</i> L. (Asteraceae) collected in Sicily (Italy)

The genus <i>Bellis</i> L. (Asteraceae) comprises 14 species as annual or perennial herbs, native to Macaronesia, N. Africa, Europe to Central Asia and W. Himalaya. Some species, mainly <i>Bellis perennis</i> L., have been used in traditional medicine. In the present study, the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) from flowers (<b>Baf</b>), leaves and stems (<b>Bals</b>) of <i>Bellis annua</i> L., collected in Sicily, a species, growing in Canary Islands, Mediterranean to Iran, were analysed by GC-MS. Considering that no previous work has been published on the EO of this species, it represents an important data to expand the knowledge on it. Monoterpene hydrocarbons (91.3%) were the principal classes of <b>Baf</b> with <i>β</i>-myrcene (75.3%), by far as principal compound, followed by <i>β</i>-pinene (12.8%). Main constituents of <b>Bals</b> were hexadecanal (45.7%) <i>β</i>-myrcene (75.3%). The chemical profile of the EOs presented herein were compared with previously investigated <i>Bellis</i> taxa oils reported by literature.