Abstract
Origanum dictamnus was cultivated at the Laboratory of Conservation and Evaluation of the Native and Floricultural Species (North Greece), far away from the island of Crete (South Greece) where it is growing wild. After one year of cultivation dittany barks/leaves and flowers were analyzed on the basis of their essential oils (yield and quality) for two subsequent years. The essential oils from different parts of the plants were obtained by hydrodistillation in a modified Clevenger-type apparatus, and their chemical analyses were performed by GC and GC-MS. The essential oil yield (1.05-3.14%) and content did not show a negative response to cultivation. Carvacrol was shown to be the main constituent in all samples (45.3-75.1%), with its percentages increasing at the second year of cultivation.
Highlights
Origanum dictamnus L. or ‘Cretan dittany’ is a white lanate subshrub, growing wild exclusively in the rocky slopes of mountainous Crete (Greece) [1,2]
Barks/leaves and flowers of O. dictamnus were collected during the flowering stage at two subsequent years of cultivation
The different plant parts were distilled independently and the essential oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS
Summary
Origanum dictamnus L. or ‘Cretan dittany’ is a white lanate subshrub, growing wild exclusively in the rocky slopes of mountainous Crete (Greece) [1,2]. It is well known since Aristotle’s time for its curing abilities and it was widely used in Crete as a panacea for almost every illness [3,4,5]. Its content in carvacrol is considered very important, since this aromatic monoterpene holds a significant commercial interest It is a known antimicrobial, antiseptic and antioxidant agent with low acute toxicity and weak genotoxic potential. Carvacrol is a common component of the oils from oregano, thyme, marjoram and summer savory [3]
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