Comparative analysis of essential oil composition and phenolic content in five Artemisia species

The genus Artemisia exhibits remarkable phytochemical diversity, largely associated with variations in essential oil composition and phenolic constituents. This study comparatively evaluated the essential oil profiles and total phenolic contents of five Artemisia taxa (A. oliveriana, A. chamaemelifolia, A. bashkalensis, A. taurica var. vanensis, and A. santonicum subsp. patens), including endemic taxa from Türkiye. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC–MS/FID, while total phenolic content was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The results revealed substantial qualitative and quantitative differences among taxa. A. oliveriana, A. chamaemelifolia and A. taurica var. vanensis were dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes, mainly camphor and 1,8-cineole, whereas A. bashkalensis exhibited a borneol-rich chemotype. In contrast, A. santonicum subsp. patens showed a distinct profile dominated by acenaphthylene and sesquiterpenes. Total phenolic content varied significantly among taxa, with the highest levels detected in A. taurica var. vanensis and A. santonicum subsp. patens. These findings demonstrate pronounced chemotypic differentiation within Artemisia taxa and indicate the influence of ecological and geographical factors on their phytochemical variability.