Abstract Chemical composition of essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of leaves, stems, pulp and seeds of fruits of Aframomum exscapum (Sims) Hepper grown in Guadeloupe was investigated by GC and GCâMS. Fortyâfour volatile compounds were identified, among which 1,8âcineole was the main constituent in all parts of the plant (47â86%). These analytical data confirm that the species from Guadeloupe is not Aframomum melegueta (Rosc.) K. Schum. as initially claimed by local botanists. Copyright Â© 2006 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.