The volatile constituents obtained by hydrodistillation of the fruit of Garcinia atroviridis were analysed by capillary GC and GC-MS. Fifty-six compounds representing 94.3% of the isolate were identified, among which sesquiterpenoids dominated. The most abundant components were (−)-β-caryophyllene (23.8%), β-caryophyllene alcohol (15.6%) and α-humulene (10.7%). The total volatiles and three of the constituents were assayed for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities using the micro-dilution assay and a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor screening assay kit, respectively. The total volatiles and the three compounds showed stronger activity against Gram-positive bacteria compared to the Gram-negative bacteria tested. Regarding anti-inflammatory activity, the samples tested showed selective inhibitory activity against COX-2 compared to their activity against COX-1. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.