Volatile oil constituents of Rosa canina L.: Differences related to developmental stages and floral organs

Abstract

The evolution of the volatile oils during three developmental stages of Rosa canina L. flowers and the repartition of the constituents of the oils among different floral parts were examined using high-resolution gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Numerous components belonging to different chemical classes suggesting the occurrence of different metabolic pathways were identified. The main component in all oil samples was 2-phenylethanol, and its content increased gradually during the floral development process. Irrespective of flower's developmental stage, hydrocarbons were found to be the main group components. A great qualitative and quantitative change of the essential oil composition among different floral parts was also revealed. The volatile oil compositions are discussed in relation to their defensive and pollinators attraction roles.

Keywords:

• Rosa canina L.
• Rosaceae
• volatile oil
• floral development
• floral organs

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Asma Allaoui (Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, Tunisie) for the GC–MS analysis and Radhia Mahjoubi (Mograne Agricultural College, Zaghouan, Tunisia) for his precious technical help.