Assessment of Variation in Essential Oil Content and Composition within and Among Salvia sp. From Southwest Iran

Abstract

In this study, 18 specimens of the genus Salvia representing 4 species, Salvia multicaulis Vahl, Salvia reuteriana Boiss., Salvia virgata Jacq. and Salvia syriaca L., were collected from their natural habitats throughout southwest Iran. The essential oil (EO) content of each specimen was extracted using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and then was characterized by gas chromatography and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry methods. The EO content ranged from 0.03 to 0.5 % (w/w) and 38 components were detected in the samples. The main components were found to be caryophyllene oxide (52.4 %), (E)-caryophyllene (37.7 %), germacrene-B (35.5 %), germacrene-D (23.8 %), α-pinene (17.2 %), bicyclogermacrene (15 %), spathulenol (15 %) and linalool acetate (14.4 %). The relative composition of compounds was used to carry out a chemotaxonomic study on the species using hierarchical cluster analysis. The specimens fell into four chemotype groups based on the seven major constituents. Results showed a significant variation in content and composition of EO both within and among Salvia species. The differences of the EO content and composition of Salvia species could be used to differentiate among the species.