Essential oil composition of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. wild samples collected from six sites and different seasonal periods in Elba Island (Tuscan Archipelago, Italy)

Abstract

The hydrodistilled essential oils from eighteen samples of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. collected in six localities of Elba Island (Tuscany, Italy) during three different seasonal periods were analyzed by GC-MS for the first time. Fifty-five components were identified, representing 96.8–99.6% of the total chemical composition. All the tested essential oils were characterized by a high content of monoterpenes (oxygenated 49.2–80.3%; hydrocarbons 18.7–48.3%). Among them, 1,8-cineole (26.4–49.1%), α-pinene (4.5–34.8%), camphor (1.1–18.8%) and borneol (1.7–16.2%) were the main constituents. The high amount of 1,8-cineole/α-pinene/camphor/borneol may suggest the presence of an intermediate rosemary chemotype. Statistical analysis was also performed on the essential oil (EO) composition evidenced an expected difference depending on the collection seasons, to the geographical areas and soil composition. A comparison with the essential oil composition from S. rosmarinus collected in all the other islands of Tuscan Archipelago (Italy) was also reported, together with a Multivariate Statistical Analysis.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• α-pinene
• 18-cineole
• camphor
• borneol
• statistical analysis
• geographic origin

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.