Petitgreine essential oil of <i>Citrus limon</i> (L.) Osbeck varieties and hybrids when growing in wet subtropic conditions

Abstract

The article presents data on the content and composition of petitgrain essential oil of six varieties and hybrids of lemon growing in open ground in a humid subtropical climate (Republic of Abkhazia): Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck'Odishi', C. limon 'Large-fruited', hybrids C. limon 24517 and 31375, small-fruited limetta ( Citrus limetta Risso) and sweet lemon ( C. limetta 'Chontipico'). The leaves of the studied varieties contain from 0,18 to 0,42% of essential oil (wet weight) straw-colored with lemon aroma. In the essential oil of the 'Large-fruited' variety, hybrid 24517 and small-fruited lime, citral isomers and D-limonene predominate, which cause a pronounced lemon aroma of the oil. The 'Odishi' essential oil has a lemon-pink aroma with floral notes, which is explained by the predominance of citronellal and citronelol in it. Sweet lemon petitgrain oil has similar floral notes, with linalool and citronellal as the major components. A mixed lemon-floral-woody aroma is possessed by the essential oil from the leaves of hybrid 31375, in which, in addition to citral and linalool, sabinene is present. The 'Large-fruited' variety is characterized by the highest content (0,42%) and quality of petitgrain oil.