Effect of Harvest Time on Essential Oil Content and Chemical Composition of Origanum vulgare (L.) from Iran

Abstract

Origanum vulgare (L.) is one of the famous and ancient medicinal plants of Iran. This field experiment was conducted in the region of Fasa (28°443 N, 53°393 E). The experiment was conducted based on randomized complete blocks design with four replications. The effect of harvest times on vegetative characteristics of Oregano, the essential oil percentage and its compounds were determined. The essential oil of Oregano was obtained by hydro distillation method for 3h and then the composition of essential oil was determined by GC-MS. The results indicated that pre-flowering harvest increased essential oil percentage of O. vulgare significantly and the oil yield was 0.46-0.47 % (v/w). Twenty nine compounds were identified and linalyl acetate (20.10-24.01 %) and γ-terpinene (11.82-14.52 %) were two major compounds of the essential oil.

Key words:

• Oregano
• flowering
• volatile oils
• linalyl acetate