Chemical composition of the essential oil of two Iranian Satureja species (S. edmondi and S. isophylla)

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Chemical composition of the essential oil of two Iranian Satureja species (S. edmondi and S. isophylla)

Sefidkon F., Jamzad Z.J.

Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran

Satureja genus presents 12 aromatic species in Iran, eight of which are endemic. Because of the several usages of Satureja species or their oils in different industries, we were interested to study the oil content and composition of Iranian Satureja species. In this research, the essential oil content and composition of two endemic species (S. edmondi and S. isophylla) were investigated.

Essential oils from aerial parts of Satureja edmondi Briquet and Satureja isophylla Rech. f. were obtained by hydro-distillation. The oils were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography, using flame ionization and mass spectrometric detection. The components were identified with their mass spectrum and retention indices.

Thirty components were identified in the oil of S. edmondi with p-cymene (61.1%), gamma-terpinene (9.6%), thymol (5.0%) and alpha-terpineol (4.8%) as main constituents. Fifty-six compounds were identified in the oil of S. isophylla with alpha-eudesmol (11.3%), beta-eudesmol (9.6%), camphor (7.1%), beta-caryophyllene (6.1%), gamma-eudesmol (5.8%) and geranial (5.5%) as main components. The results showed different composition of the essential oils of these Satureja species.

The oil content and composition of these Satureja species were studied for the first time. We have studied some of the other Satureja species oils previously. This study showed the sharp differences between the oils of these two species with other Satureja species that will be presented compeletly.