The Effect of Cuttings Stages on Components and Content of Essential Oils from Salvia viridis L.

Salvia viridis L. is annual herb which belongs to Lamiaceae family and is distributed particularly in Mediterranean region. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of three different cutting stages on its components and essential oil ratio from aerial parts of S. viridis. The seedlings obtained from the seeds of wild-growing S. viridis transplanted to the experimental area. Plants were harvested in three different stages (the beginning of flowering, 50% of flowering and full flowering). The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The essential oil ratio ranged from 0.023% (the full flowering stage) to 0.130% (the beginning of flowering stage). According to the results of analysis, beta-caryophyllene, germacrene D and caryophyllene oxide were recorded as major components in the essential oils from the different cutting stages. The results of our study showed differences in the content and chemical composition of the essential oil from S. viridis depending on the developing stages of the plant harvested.