Evaluation of monthly changes in essential oil yield and components of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.) leaf

This research was carried out to examine the monthly changes in both the volatile oil content and volatile components of cherry laurel leaves by taking samples every month for 12 months in Turkey. Harvest periods significantly affected volatile oil content (P < 0.01). Depending on harvest periods, volatile oil ratios ranged from 0.19 to 0.35%. The months of August, July, and September yielded the highest volatile oil ratios. Benzaldehyde, phenol, benzoic acid, benzeneacetonitrile, pentadecanone, 1,54-dibromotetrapentacontane and, tetrapentacontane were determined as components in the volatile oil. The ratio of benzaldehyde, the main active ingredient, varied between 83.89 and 94.41%, depending on the harvest time. The cherry laurel leaf should be harvested in July, August, and September for high essential oil ratios and in May, June, and July for high benzaldehyde ratios. Due to the high concentration of benzaldehyde in its volatile oil, cherry laurel evergreen leaf can be considered a valuable source of raw materials for the fragrance and pharmaceutical sectors.