Quali-quantitative variation of essential oil from Iranian rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) accessions according to environmental factors

The aim of this study was to assess environmental factors effects on quality and quantity of Iranian rosemary oil. Chemical components were identified by GC-FID and GC/MS. Results indicated that essential oil yields exhibited significant variation among accessions. The highest contents were recorded for the Bo2 and Bo3 accessions (2.6 and 2.3 ml/100 g, respectively). The major constituents were 1,8-cineole (5.32–28.29%), camphor (1.58–25.32%) and α-pinene (14.19–21.43%). The Iranian accessions also exhibited chemical variability for other major compounds such as borneol, piperitone, camphene, bornyl acetate, verbenone, and trans-pinocamphone. According to multivariate analysis, including CA, HCA, DCA, and PCA the rosemary accessions belonged to two main chemotypes (I camphor type and II α-pinene/1,8-cineole/camphor type). Results of CA and DCA analyzes were similar and both of them were in agreement with the results of PCA analyzes. Furthermore, there were positive and negative correlations between the major constituents and environmental factors.