Planta Med 2008; 74 - PI61
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084967

A comparative qualitative and quantitative analysis of the essential oils of 159 cultivated aromatic plant samples of seven different species from six areas of Northern Greece

S Paraschos 1, P Magiatis 1, AL Skaltsounis 1
  • 1Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, GR 15771, Athens, Greece

Aromatic plants are cultivated worldwide for the production of essential oils, and their contribution in local agricultural economies can be very important. In the Greek district of East Macedonia-Thrace and under the patronage of the District's Operational Program, pilot cultivations of seven different species of aromatic plants have been carried out in six different areas for the last three years. Samples of Rosmarinus officinalis, Coridothymus capitatus, Salvia officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, Coriander sativum, Melissa officinalis and Valeriana officinalis were collected on every harvest season (159 totally) and were subjected to hydrodistillation for the acquisition of essential oil. The output of each distillation was measured and all essential oil samples were analyzed by capillary GCMS with a DB-5 column and with an EI detector. The results showed remarkable variations in the essential oil yield in most species (1.01–3.92% in R.officinalis samples, 0.81–3% in C.capitatus, 0.66–3.11% in S.officinalis, ˜0–1.60% in M.chamomilla,˜0–0.85% in M.officinalis), in some cases area-depended. From the point of composition and compound proportions, the major compounds for each species were the following:

R.officinalis: camphor, eucalyptol, α-pinene (proportions without significant variations).

C.capitatus: thymol, p-cymene (considerable variations).

S.officinalis: cis-thujone, camphor, eucalyptol (considerable variations, in some cases area-depended).

M.chamomilla: bisabolone oxide, bisabolol oxide A, bisabolol oxide B (considerable variations, in some cases area-depended).

C.sativum: linalool, camphor (proportions without significant variations).

M.officinalis: caryophyllene oxide, geranial, neral (considerable variations, not area-depended).

V.officinalis: valerenal, bornyl acetate, camphene (considerable variations).

Acknowledgements: District of East Macedonia-Thrace, Administration Commission of East Macedonia-Thrace Operational Program for financial support