Journal of Plant Process and Function

Salvia limbata .C. A. Mey is a herbaceous perennial plant whit proven medical effects, belongs to the family Lamiaceae. The objective of this study is to investigate the quantitative and qualitative variability of the essential oil of this species cultivated in new conditions (Karaj and Abhar) Compared with wild population (Semnan). The aerial parts of the plants were collected at the flowering stage and essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The essential oils composition were determined by GC and GC-MS. Cultivation of this species under new conditions led to increasing in oil content and variation of quality and quantity of essential oils when compared to wild population. Essential oil yield in wild condition and cultivated plants in Karaj and Abhar were 0.23 %, 0.3 % and 0.34 % (w/w), respectively.The major components of the essential oil of wild population were 1,8-cineole (18.98%), &alpha-Pinene (11.91%) and &beta-mircene (9.69%). Two main constituents of Essential oil of cultivated plants in Karaj and Abhar were &alpha-Pinene (23.49% and 2821%, respectively) and &beta-Pinene (19.21% and 22.42%, respectively). The highest amount of monoterpene hydrocarbons as well as lowest amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes and total sesquiterpenes were observed in essential oil of cultivated plants in Abhar.