Composition of individual essential oil glands of savory (Satureja hortensis L., Lamiaceae) from Syria

Abstract

The essential oil of Lamiaceae is produced in oil glands on the leaf epidermis and stored in a subcuticular space of these specialized leaf structures. An interesting approach to better understand the variability of the essential oil composition within a plant is the analysis of individual oil glands, which is demonstrated here in the case of an accession of Satureja hortensis L. from Syria. Oil glands from different positions on the plant (petals, calyces, young, medium and old leaves) were analyzed by sampling the content of each oil gland with an SPME fiber. The main compounds identified were γ γ γ γ γ-terpinene and carvacrol, responsible for the major part (approximately 90%) of the total essential oil composition. The portion of carvacrol was highest in the petals (85%). The calyces showed intermediate values of 75% while carvacrol was equal (58%) at all three ages of leaves (young, medium and old leaves). γ γ γ γ γ-Terpinene increased from 9% in the calyx to 30% in the leaves. The lanceolate leaves were divided into four sections starting from the base (sector no. 1) to the top (sector no. 4) of the leaf blade. The content of carvacrol increased from 56% in sector no. 1 to 66% in sector no. 2 and decreased subsequently to 53% in sector no. 4. γ γ γ γ γ -Terpinene showed the opposite trend with a decrease from 32% (sector no. 1) to 25% (sector no. 2) and a steady increase to 36% in sector no. 4.

Influence of Distillation Method on the Content and Composition of Essential Oil Isolated from Summer Savory (Satureja hortensisL.)

“…The identity of compounds was also confirmed by comparison of their retention indices, either with those of authentic compounds or with data published in the literature 16,17 . The identity of compounds was also confirmed by comparison of their retention indices, either with those of authentic compounds or with data published in the literature 16,17 .…”

Content and composition of essential oil and content of rosmarinic acid in lemon balm and balm genotypes (Melissa officinalis)

“…Hose et al (1997) also showed that the composition in essential oil glands of M. officinalis changes during ontogenesis. This is mentioned for other species (Salvia sclarea L., Satureja hortensis L., Salvia officinalis L.) as well (Grassi et al 2004;Johnson et al 2004;Novak et al 2006;Schmiderer et al 2008).…”

Raw materials: the importance of quality and safety. A review.

“…[11] In savory (Satureja hortensis) the oil glands from diff erent positions on the plant (petals, calyces, young, medium and old leaves) were analysed by sampling the content of each oil gland with an SPME fi bre and some important quantitative diff erences in the amounts of carvacrol and γ-terpinene were also found. [12] One of the most important characteristics of oil accumulation is its dependence on the developmental stage/phase of the plant as well as its particular localization in the plant, i.e. part/organ or tissue.…”