Chemical composition of essential oils and their effects on biochemical parameters in seeds and seedlings of caraway (Carum carvi L.)

We studied the composition of caraway, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) andmarjoram (Origanum majorana L.) oils and their effects on the biochemical response of caraway(Carum carvi L.). Essential oils obtained by steam distillation of their seeds were analyzed usinggas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main components of caraway, fennel and marjoramoils were : carvone, (E)-anethole and ?-terpinene, respectively. Caraway seeds and seedlingswere subjected to continuous influence of each essential oils present in the air at differentconcentrations (0.625%, 1.25%, 2.5% and 5% v/v). The contents of proline and total polyphenolswere determined in caraway seeds and seedlings after 48 and 240 h, respectively. Additionally,contents of pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids) were measured in carawayseedlings (240 h after sowing). The proline and polyphenol contents increased in both seeds andseedlings. However, essential oils (except caraway oil) decreased the pigment contents inseedlings. The observed effects increased with the concentration of essential oils. The fennel oilhad the strongest allelopathic properties.