Chemical differences in essential oil of three Citrus trees grown in Egypt’s arid regions

Abstract Essential oils from Citrus trees grown in Egypt’s arid areas were evaluated for potential expansion as natural sources in reclaimed lands. Essential oils were hydro-distilled from leaves, flowers, young shoots, and peel of Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck cv. Washington Navel ( C. sinensis Navel), Citrus sinensis var. Valencia ( C. sinensis Valencia) and Citrus aurantium var. aurantium ( C. aurantium ); then analyzed by GC/MS. All parts of C. sinensis Navel gave the highest essential oil yields. Sabinene was the main compound in leaf and shoot oils of C. sinensis Navel and Valencia, while linalool dominated in C. aurantium ; monoterpene hydrocarbons dominated C. sinensis Navel and Valencia, while oxygenated monoterpenes prevailed in C. aurantium . Limonene was the main compound in C. sinensis Navel flower oil; nerol was the main compound in flower oils of C. sinensis Valencia and C. aurantium . Monoterpene hydrocarbons dominated C. sinensis Navel flower oil, while oxygenated monoterpenes prevailed in C. sinensis Valencia and C. aurantium . Limonene and linalool dominated Citrus peel oils, with monoterpene hydrocarbons as the main group. Diterpenes were found exclusively in flower oil and not in other organs. Citrus grown in arid areas differed in oil composition from those in humid lands, reflecting diversified sources. This study guides selection of Citrus trees and parts for essential oil production and shows their potential in arid areas as natural essential oil sources.