Essential oil of the new Citrus hybrid, Citrus clementina x C. limon

The chemical composition of the essential oil of a new Citrus hybrid, obtained by crossbreeding the diploid clementine, Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan., and the tetraploid lemon, C. limon (L.) Burm. f., was analyzed by GC/MS. The 43 components of the essential oil, 40 of which were fully characterized, were grouped in six classes (monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, aliphatic aldehydes, aliphatic alcohols and esters) for an easier comparison with the oils of the parent species. The new triploid hybrid, whose genetic equipment is closer to that of the tetraploid parent, provides an oil similar to that of lemon, the principal components being limonene, ?-terpinene and ?-pinene. The contribution of the diploid parent, clementine, especially with regard to some oxygenated components, is less evident but not less significant for the aroma of the oil.