Planta Med 1998; 64(2): 143-147
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957392
Papers
Biochemistry, Physiology, in vitro Cultures
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Seasonal Variation of the Essential Oil, Valerenic Acid and Derivatives, and Valepotriates in Valeriana officinalis Roots and Rhizomes, and the Selection of Plants Suitable for Phytomedicines

Rein Bos1 , Herman J. Woerdenbag1 , Freeke M. S. van Putten1 , Henk Hendriks1 , Johannes J. C. Scheffer2
  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
  • 2Division of Pharmacognosy, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

1997

1997

Publication Date:
04 January 2007 (online)

Abstract

During the seasons 1989-1993, Valeriana officinalis plants were investigated for their contents of essential oil, valerenic acid and derivatives, and valepotriates. Harvesting of the subterranean parts was started in August of the year in which the seeds were sown, and continued until the last week of April of the subsequent year. Despite marked variations from year to year, the maximum contents of essential oil in the subterranean parts of V. officinalis were found in September, ranging from 1.2% to 2.1% (v/w) based on dry weight (DW). Over the vegetation periods investigated, the composition of the oil remained more or less constant. Valerenic acid and its derivatives, and the valepotriates reached their maxima in February-March, with contents of 0.7-0.9% (DW) and 1.1-1.4% (DW), respectively.

During the period 1989-1993, five V. officinalis strains were investigated for their contents of essential oil, valerenic acid and derivatives, and valepotriates in order to select plants suitable for phytomedicines. The selection procedures described in this paper finally yielded plant material (in 1993) with a satisfactory content of essential oil (0.9%) combined with a high content of valerenic acid and derivatives (0.5%) which can be harvested in September of the year of sowing.