Abstract
The seasonal variation in the yield and composition of the essential oil from collective samples of Thymus zygis L. collected in North Portugal is reported. Essential oil was obtained by steam distillation and by distillation in a modified Clevenger apparatus. Analysis was performed by GC and GC–MS. The yield in essential oil showed a maximum at the flowering stage (0.9–1.4%) and a minimum during the dormancy period (about 0.15%). The composition also showed different patterns at different phases of the vegetative cycle. At the flowering period the essential oil is rich in thymol and geraniol. p-Cymene showed a variation presenting a maximum at the minimum of thymol (post-flowering period). Aiming the use of the essential oil as a food ingredient, the most interesting stage is the post-flowering period, the essential oil at this time being rich in thymol (about 21%), geranyl acetate (about 17%) and geraniol (about 13%), with p-cymene presenting lower levels. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
