COMPARING ESSENTIAL OIL COMPOSITION AND ESSENTIAL OIL YIELD OF ROSEMARINUS OFFICINALIS AND LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA BEFORE AND FULL FLOWERING STAGES

摘要

The chemical composition of essential oils and essential oil yield obtained fromRosemarinus officinalis(family Lamiaceae) and Lavandula angustifolia (family Lamiaceae) weredetermined in two harvesting times. Their essential oil was determined by hydro-distillation, andanalysed by GC/MS.The results showed that harvesting time had significant effects on the oil content andcompositions in both plants. The maximum essential oil percentage was obtained in full flowering stagein rosemary. Also and in lavender maximum linalool percentage (19.2%) was obtained in full flowering,and minimum linalool percentage (0.2%) was shown in the other time. Also the concentration of β –pinene (2.1%), δ-3-carene (1.5%), β – phellandrene (6.6%), Camphor(10.6%), Cryptone (0.8%), α-terpineol (2.3%) and Linalool acetate (1.2%) were higher than befor flowering stage. Therefore theharvesting timehave a great importance in the production of essential oil and influenced on the quantityand quality of essential oil. As consequence, the best harvesting time in both medicinal plants wasobtained in full flowering stage