Abstract: The composition of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Levisticum officinalis obtained by hydro distillation, was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The main components of the oil were β-phellandrene (42.5%), α-terpineol (27.9%), cis-ocimene (7.5%) and dehydro-1,8-cineol (6.8%). Dehydro-1,8-cineol and α-terpineol were two compounds that have not been reported in previous studies.
Introduction
Levisticum officinalis (Apiacea), lovage, is a glabrous, perennial herbaceous plant, with a characteristic earthy, celery-like flavour and smell. All parts of the plant being strongly aromatic, this plant is cultivated for its seeds, leaves, roots and essential oil, which are used in the perfuming, food, beverage and tobacco industries (Bylaite et al., 2000 ). As a medicinal plant, it has been used for diaphoretic, expectorant, stomachic and stimulant activities (Venskutonis, 1995; Dauksšas et al., 1998). Lovage root has also been known for centuries as a medicine possessing spasmolytic, diuretic and carminative activities (Szebeni-Galambosi, 1992). A few studies have been published on the volatiles of lovage, some of which concern the essential oil from the plant roots (Stahl-Biskup et al., 1991; Cu et al., 1990; Hogg et al., 2001).
As a part of our ongoing research on the chemical analysis of oils obtained from wild plants of Iran, we investigated the oil of Levisticum officinalis growing in Iran.
Materials and Methods
Plant Material
The aerial parts of Levisticum officinalis were harvested at the
flowering stage in the Southeast of Iran in June 2003. A voucher specimen has
been deposited at the Herbarium of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University
of Medical Sciences.
Isolation of Essential Oil
The air dried aerial parts of the plant (100 g) were subjected to hydro
distillation using a Clevenger type apparatus for 3 h with distilled n-pentane
as organic solvent. The oil was dried with anhydrous sodium sulphate and stored
at 4-6°C during the time before analysis.
Gas Chromatography
GC analysis was performed on a Shimadzu ISA gas chromatograph, equipped
with a split/split less injector (250°C) and a flame ionization detector
(250°C). Helium was used as carrier gas (1 mL min-1) and the
capillary column used was DB-1 (50 in x 0.2 mm, film thickness 0.32 μn).
The column temperature was kept at 60°C for 3 min and then heated to 220°C
with a 5°C/min rate and kept constant at 220°C for 5 min.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
GC/MS analysis was performed using a Hewlett-Packard 5973 with a HP-5MS
column (30 m x 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 μm). The column temperature
was kept at 60°C for 3 min and programmed to 220°C at a rate of 5°C
min-1 and kept constant at 220°C for 5 min. The flow rate of
helium as carrier gas was 1 mL min-1. MS were taken at 70 eV.
Identification of the constituents of each oil was made by comparison of their mass spectra and Retention Indices (RI) with those given in the literature and those authentic samples (Adams, 1995). Relative percentage amounts were calculated from FID peak areas using a Shimadzu C-R4A chromatopac without the use of correction factors.
Results and Discussion
The essential oil was light green with distinct sharp odour and the total yield
of 1.4% (Table 1). As it is shown in Table 1,
the essential oil from Levisticum officinalis was characterized by large
amounts of monoterpens (98.3%). The main components in the oil were β-Phellandrene
(42.5%) and α-terpineol (27.9%). Other notable constituents were cis-β-ocimene
(7.5%) and dehydro-1,8-cineol (6.8%). It is noted that the content of β-Phellandrene
in the essential oil of Levisticum officinalis obtained in this study
was higher than other studies. It perhaps is related to the climate and growth
condition or other related parameters. Dehydro-1,8-cineol and α-terpineol
were detected in the oil, which were not reported in any of previously investigated
Levisticum officinalis (Stahl-Biskup and Wichtmann, 1991; Cu et al.,
1990; Hogg et al., 2001). By contrast, α-phellandrene, citonellal
and limonene were not detected in this study.
| Table 1: | Essential oil composition of the aerial parts of Levisticum officinalis |