Melaleuca alternifolia Madien & Betche (Cheel), commonly known as Tea Tree, is a coniferous tree primarily native to subtropical areas in northern New South Wales. M. alternifolia leaves and stems have been commercially steam-distilled to extract the pale yellow oil which displays anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. The aromatic oil is comprised of various terpenoids including 1,8-cineol and terpinen-4-ol. Variability in terpenoid levels has been described in Australian field populations of M. alternifolia. In order to determine whether this variability can be attributed to genetics or environmental factors, we compare a GC-MS with HPLC-ELSD for analyzing organic extracts of M. alternifolia grown in tissue culture. Levels of terpinen-4-ol, 1,8-cineole, a-pinene, b-pinene, a-terpinene, g-terpinene, linalool, and lemonene are reported for eight genetic isolines.

Terpene variation in various isolines of <i>Melaleuca alternifolia</i>

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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Terpene variation in various isolines of Melaleuca alternifolia