Planta Med 2000; 66(3): 245-250
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-10685
Original Paper
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Parameters Influencing the Yield and Composition of the Essential Oil from Cretan Vitex agnus-castus Fruits

Janina M. Sørensen1 , Stavros Th. Katsiotis2,*
  • 1 Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, Chania, Crete, Greece
  • 2 School of Pharmacy, Dept. Pharmaceutical Technology, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

Abstract

Mature and immature fruits of a Cretan Vitex agnus-castus L. population were chosen to investigate different parameters such as comminution, maturity, distillation period and extraction method influencing the essential oil yield and composition. The effect of the comminution and the maturity of the plant material showed highly significant differences in yield and composition of the essential oils obtained, as well as the distillation duration from one to five hours and the method applied (hydrodistillation and simultaneous distillation extraction). The variation of 36 essential oil components due to the parameters applied was studied. The results showed that many different essential oil qualities can be obtained from the same plant material according to the parameters employed in its extraction. Entire fruits hydrodistilled for one hour yielded an oil much richer in monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds whereas the best combination to obtain an oil rich in less volatile compounds is by SDE of comminuted fruits for five hours. For mature fruits the main components varied as follows due to the parameters studied: sabinene 16.4 - 44.1 %, 1,8-cineole 8.4 - 15.2 %, β-caryophyllene 2.1 - 5.0 %, and trans-β-farnesene 5.0 - 11.7 %.

References

  • 1 Tutin  T G,, Heywood  V H,, Burges  N A,, Valentine  D H,, Walters  S M,, Webb  D A.. Flora Europaea,. Vol. 3,: 122, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge; 1972
  • 2 Huxley  A,, Taylor  W.. Flowers of Greece and the Aegean. 121-122, The Hogarth Press, London; 1989
  • 3 Hobbs  Ch.. Pharm. in History. 1991;;  33 (1) 19-24
  • 4 Weiss  R F.. Lehrbuch der Phytotherapie,. 7th edition: 397-402, Hippokrates Verlag, Stuttgart; 1991
  • 5 Jarry  H,, Leonhardt  S,, Gorkow  C,, Wuttke  W.. Experim. Clin. Endocrin.. 1994;;  102 448-454
  • 6 Zwaving  J H,, Bos  R.. Planta Med.. 1996;;  62 83-84
  • 7 Mishurova  S S,, Malinovskaja  T A,, Akhmedov  I B,, Mamedov  D G.. Rastitel'nye Resursy. 1986;;  22 526-530
  • 8 Elgengaihi  S E,, Motawe  H M,, Omer  E A,, El-Bazza  Z E.. Indian Perfumer. 1992;;  36 293-296
  • 9 Kustrak  D,, Kuftinec  J,, Blazevic  N.. Planta Med.. 1992;;  58 681
  • 10 Senatore  F,, Della Porta  G,, Reverchon  E.. Flav. Fragr. J.. 1996;;  11 179-182
  • 11 Sørensen  J M,, Katsiotis  S Th.. J. Ess. Oil Res.. 1999;  in press
  • 12 Charlwood  B V,, Charlwood  K A.. Methods in Plant Biochemistry,. Vol. 7, Terpenoids,. Charlwood BV, Banthorpe DV 43-98, Academic Press Limited, London; 1991
  • 13 Menary  R C.. Plantes Aromatiques et Medicinales,. Verlet N 116-138, 4'emes Rencontres Technique et Economique Nyons 1994
  • 14 Katsiotis  S Th,, Ktistis  G,, Iconomou  N.. Pharm. Acta Helv.. 1985;;  60 (8) 228-231
  • 15 Chatzopoulou  P S,, Katsiotis  S Th.. Pharm. Acta Helv.. 1995;;  70 247-253
  • 16 Gauthier  R,, Gourai  M,, Bellakhdar  J.. Rev. Mar. Pharm.. 1988;;  4 117-132
  • 17 Renedo  J,, Otero  J A,, Mira  J R.. Plantes Med. et Phytother.. 1990;;  24 31-35
  • 18 Schmaus  G,, Kubeczka  K H.. Essential Oils and Aromatic Plants, . Proceedings of the 15th Symposium on Essential Oils,. Baerheim Svendsen A, Scheffer JJC 127-134, Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publ. Dortrecht/Boston/Lancaster; 1985
  • 19 Adams  R P.. Identification of Essential Oil Components by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy. 1-451, Allured Publishing Corp, USA; 1995
  • 20 Mechler  E,, Ruckdeschel  E.. Act. Horticult.. 1980;;  96 125-132

Prof. Dr. S. Th. Katsiotis

School of Pharmacy

Dept. Pharmaceutical Technology

Aristotle University

P.O. Box 1589

540 06 Thessaloniki

Greece

Email: stakat@pharm.auth.gr

Phone: +30 31 997669