Current Trends for Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) Crops and Products with Emphasis on Essential Oil Quality

Abstract

Lavender is in the research spotlight due to its increasing economic importance, while market demand is expected to continue to grow. Among the hundreds of essential-oil-bearing plants, Lavandula angustifolia Mill. remains one of the most valuable. This paper explores the lavender chain timeline from crop to products, examining the expanding knowledge on the characteristics, phytochemical profile and functional potential of lavender that could lead to new products and uses. Lavender crops can be expanded without competing for productive land, instead using marginal, contaminated or unproductive land. A novel cultivation trend proposes leveraging agri-background biodiversity, arbuscular mycorrhiza and the natural enemies of pests for healthy crops. Together with breeding efforts targeting highly performant genotypes with complex volatile profiles coupled with resistance to specific biotic (particularly Phytoplasma) and abiotic (salt, heavy metals) stressors, industry could have a steady supply of high-quality raw material. Besides the expansion of the uses of essential oil in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and environmental and agri-applications, novel channels have appeared for the use of the solid by-product, which is rich in polyphenols and polysaccharides; these channels have the potential to create additional streams of value. The stabilization and optimization of techno-functional delivery systems through the encapsulation of essential oil can extend shelf-life and enhance biological activity efficiency.

Essential Oil of Lavandula officinalis: Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activities

“…In the second study, 78 compounds have been identified where the main constituents were linalool (30.6%), linalyl acetate (14.2%), geraniol (5.3%), beta-caryophyllene (4.7%), and lavandulyl acetate (4.4%) [ 27 ]. Several works [ 37 ] have reported that the chemical composition of the EO is influenced by genotype, geographical origin [ 38 ], climatic conditions during growth [ 39 ], morphological characteristics, and propagation [ 40 ]. In addition, the quality of the lavender EO is based on its high content of linalool and linalyl acetate and their mutual proportions.…”

“…(4.4%) [27]. Several works [37] have reported that the chemical composition of the EO is influenced by genotype, geographical origin [38], climatic conditions during growth [39], morphological characteristics, and propagation [40]. In addition, the quality of the lavender EO is based on its high content of linalool and linalyl acetate and their mutual proportions.…”

Lavandula Species, Their Bioactive Phytochemicals, and Their Biosynthetic Regulation

“…Glandular trichomes can be found on the aerial parts of the plant [14,15], and abundance may depend on the species or the specific plant part. Essential oils are contained in this epidermal structure and their form, location, and densities are unique characteristics that distinguish them between the species [14,16,17]. The quantity, abundance, and sizes of glandular trichomes in lavender plants have an impact on the essential oil that is extracted from them [18].…”

Effects of Bio-Fertilizers and Different Levels of Phosphorus on Biochemical Traits, Essential Oils, and Antioxidant Enzymes in Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) Under Water Stress

“…), Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.) and lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel.) (Crisan et al, 2023). Lavender essential oil may contain over 100 terpenoid and phenolic compounds (Sharma et al, 2019).…”