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ABSTRACTIn this study, variation on the chemical compositions of the essential oil from eight populations of Ziziphora tenuior L. cultivated in semiarid climate, southwestern of Iran was performed. The essential oil analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. Significant variability in the main constituents of the essential oils was observed among the investigated populations of Z. tenuior. The major compounds were pulegone (18.46–46.28%), piperitenone (0–30.61%), p-mentha-3-en-8-ol (0.46–28.49%), caryophyllene oxide (0.13%–14.78%), and germacrene-D (0.11–14.23%). According to the multivariate analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), three chemotypes were identified including chemotype-I: pulegone/germacrene-D/caryophyllene oxide; chemotype-II consisted of two subgroups (first subgroup: pulegone/p-mentha-3-en-8-ol, and the second subgroup: pulegone); and chemotype-III: piperitenone/pulegone. These chemotypes are the result of genetic differences and diversity between populations. The results of this investigation can help to improve the chemotaxonomic and phytochemical studies and the conservation and breeding programs of this herb.

AbstractThe fruits of eight populations of B. persicumwere collected from different regions in northeast of Iran. Essential oil of B. persicumwas extracted by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The oils yields of dried fruits were found to be between 3.1 and 7.9% (v/w). In total, 19 compounds were identified that representing about 95.4–98.9% of the oil compositions. The major compounds (>5%) were γ-terpinene (29.2–40.1%), cuminic alcohol (16.4–28.4%), cumin aldehyde (9.1–18.9%), p-cymene (9.4–15.6%), safranal (3.4–7.9%) and limonene (3.7–6.4%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons were the main constituents in all populations. A hierarchical cluster analysis was done to put the chemical compositions of the essential oils from B. persicumfruit into perspective. The cluster analysis revealed at least five different groups and between these populations. The results of this experiment showed differences among the amount of oil yield, main and minor compounds in studied B. persicumpopulations.

AbstractThe composition of hydro-distilled essential oils from fresh leaves of wild growing Juniperus polycarposvar. turcomanica, collected from northeaste of Iran, were investigated by GC and GC–MS analysis during growing season 2012–2013. The oil yields depend on the month of collecting and ranged between 1.5 and 2.1% (v/w). Analysis of the essential oil identified 49 components that representing 89.7–94.6% of the total oil. Results indicated that the predominant presence of monoterpene constituents, representing 56.9–85.6% of the essential oil. The main constituent was α-pinene (41.8–75.4%), followed by germacrene B (1–5.8%), camphor (0.7–4.5%) and α-cadinol (0.4–4.8%). Regarding essential oil composition, quantitative and qualitative variations were recorded for 12 different collection periods. The best time for harvesting juniper leaves seems to be from mid-autumn to mid-winter.

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess environmental factors effects on quality and quantity of Iranian rosemary oil. Chemical components were identified by GC-FID and GC/MS. Results indicated that essential oil yields exhibited significant variation among accessions. The highest contents were recorded for the Bo2 and Bo3 accessions (2.6 and 2.3 ml/100 g, respectively). The major constituents were 1,8-cineole (5.32–28.29%), camphor (1.58–25.32%) and α-pinene (14.19–21.43%). The Iranian accessions also exhibited chemical variability for other major compounds such as borneol, piperitone, camphene, bornyl acetate, verbenone, and trans-pinocamphone. According to multivariate analysis, including CA, HCA, DCA, and PCA the rosemary accessions belonged to two main chemotypes (I camphor type and II α-pinene/1,8-cineole/camphor type). Results of CA and DCA analyzes were similar and both of them were in agreement with the results of PCA analyzes. Furthermore, there were positive and negative correlations between the major constituents and environmental factors.

AbstractEchinophora cinerea(Apiaceae) grows wild in the Zagros Mountains range, located in Iran. The herb has been used as a food additive in traditional preparations such as pickles. This study determined the chemical composition and biological activity of essential oils in the aerial parts of E. cinereacollected from three natural habitats at two phenological stages. The essential oils constituents were determined by GC-FID and GC/MS. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils was evaluated against Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, and Salmonella typhimuriumand Candida albicans. The highest oil yield obtained from E. cinereawas 2.05%w/w dry matter harvested from plants at the full flowering stage. Major essential oil constituents were α-phellandrene (42.40 to 54.87%), α-pinene (12.28 to 25.54%), and β-phellandrene (10.29 to 11.08%).The essential oils of E. cinereaharvested at the full flowering stage of growth had the highest antimicrobial activity. The antioxidant activity of E. cinereaindicated the oil acted as an effective DPPH scavenger. The IC50values ranged from 1.97 mg/mL to 2.25 mg/mL for the essential oils as compared with the 0.412 mg/mL for BHT. The antimicrobial properties of the essential oils obtained from E. cinereamay be significant from a pharmaceutical standpoint.