Table 2.

The six major groups present in nutmeg (FAO, 1999).

1.Aromatic ethers: this group comprises the following: myristicin, safrole, eugenol, methyl iso-eugenol, methoxy eugenol, iso-eugenol, methyl eugenol, elemicin, and iso-elemicin.

2.Terpene group: this group comprises the following: Alpha and gamma-terpinene, terpinolene, alpha and beta-pinene, alpha and beta-phellandrene, alpha-thujene, delta3-carene, myrcene, camphene, uinonene, dipentene, and sabinene.

3.Monoterpene Alcohol: this group comprises the following: Alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, geraniol, citronellol, terpineol, caryophyllene, sesquiterpene, and linalool.

4.Terpinic esters; this group comprises the following: Bornyl acetate, Geranyl acetate, and Linalyl acetate.

5.Aromatic hydrocarbons: this group comprises the following: toluene and p-cymene.

6.Acids: this group comprises the following: octanoic, butyric, formic, and acetic acid.