Chemical analysis of the essential oil of Ferula glauca L. (Apiaceae) growing in Marche (central Italy

Ferula glauca L. (Apiaceae), formerly believed a subspecies of Ferula communis L., but at the present considered a distinguishable species, was studied for the first time for volatiles from leaves, flowers, fruits and roots. The chemical analysis of the essential oil obtained from different populations growing in Marche (central Italy) was performed by GC-FID and GC–MS. The differences in composition detected between F. glauca and F. communis made the volatile fraction a reliable marker to distinguish between them, and confirmed the botanical data at the base of their discrimination. In particular, the oils obtained from leaves and roots, contained as major compounds (E)-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, myristicin and elemicin, that can be useful as marker components. Finally, the oils contained some daucane derivatives, that were detected also in F. communis and responsible for important biological properties.