Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the dependence of the total phenolic, flavonoid, and extractive content in extracts of Origanum vulgare L. on the soil pH, humus, total nitrogen (Ntotal), and plant-available/mobile phosphorus (P2O5), as well as potassium (K2O), total calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sodium (Na) concentrations. Experimental fields were formed in four locations in Lithuania. Soil and perennial O. vulgare samples were taken at three sites of each experimental field. A total of 12 samples of soil and 12 samples of the tested plant were collected and analyzed. The concentrations of bioactive compounds in plants are significantly (p < 0.05–0.01) affected by some chemical properties of the soil: the total phenolic content was reliably correlated with the soil pH, Ntotal, Ca, Mg, and P2O5; the flavonoid content was correlated with the soil P2O5, K2O, Mg, and Na; and the extractive content was correlated with the soil humus, Ntotal, and Na. The obtained results are useful for the development of the commercial cultivation of O. vulgare.
Highlights
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an aromatic, medicinal, and condiment herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family, commonly occurring throughout Asia, Europe, and northern Africa
The aim of this study was to determine the dependence of total phenolic, flavonoid, and extractive content in extracts of Origanum vulgare L. on soil pH, humus, Ntotal, P2 O5, K2 O, Ca, Mg, and Na concentrations
The acidic soil reaction, a lower supply of humus, total nitrogen, mobile potassium, calcium, and magnesium against the background of a sufficiently high content of mobile phosphorus and sodium in the soil led to a lower content of total phenols and a lower content of extractives in the raw material of oregano
Summary
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an aromatic, medicinal, and condiment herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family, commonly occurring throughout Asia, Europe, and northern Africa. In Lithuania, O. vulgare grows in the wild [1] It is a perennial herb with a hairy stem up to 50 cm high and has oval leaves and purple flowers [2]. The dietary importance of medicinal plants is due to their phenolic phytochemicals which are a rich source of antioxidants [7,8]. These phenolic substances have advantageous outcomes on human health, in particular by preventing mutagenesis along with carcinogenesis [9,10,11]. The total extractive substance refers to the percentage of material remaining after the removal of water This indicator is more important for Academic Editor: Laima Česonienė. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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