Analyses of Volatile Components of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia HIDCOTE and Lavandula x intermedia GROSSO) as Influenced by Cultivar Type, Part, and Growth Season

Abstract

Volatile components originating from Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote and Lavandula x intermedia Grosso plants cultivated in a medicinal plant garden of Hoshi University located in southern Tokyo were investigated using thermal desorption-GC-MS. Sampling of the flowers and herbs of the lavender was performed at different developmental stages, i.e., summer, autumn, and winter (herbs only) using solid phase micro extraction fibers. Linalool, linalyl acetate, β-caryophyllene, β-myrcene, α-ocimene, β-ocimene, and terpinen-4-ol were the predominant constituents originating from the flowers of both plants. Additional volatile compounds such as borneol, eucalyptol, and camphor were found in the Lavandula x intermedia flowers. The number of volatile compounds originating from the Lavandula angustifolia flowers in summer was greater than that in autumn. 3-Hexen-1-ol, 3-carene, and p-cymen-8-ol were volatile compounds characteristic of the herbs, and α-ocimene, allo-ocimene, and terpinen-4-ol were detected only from flowers. In comparing volatile compounds obtained from fresh herbs with those from dried herbs, camphor, β-caryophyllene, and borneol were absent in dried herbs. For people who visit the plant garden, smelling the fragrances of plants directly is believed to deliver not only pleasure but also beneficial therapeutic properties.