Seasonal Variation in the Composition of the Essential Oil of Crithmum maritimum L.

The seasonal variation in the composition of the essential oil of seafennel, Crithmum maritimum L., was studied by GC and GC‐MS. Monoterpenes were found to be the major components of the oil, amounting to 97%. The sesquiterpenes were present in a relatively small amount, constituting up to 2% of the total oil. Although all monoterpenes showed fluctuations in their relative amounts, the most conspicuous ones were recorded for sabinene (7‐42%) and γ‐terpinene (26‐55%). For the sesquiterpenes and for dillapiole, the only substituted phenylpropane derivative identified in this oil, of which the concentration ranged from 0.1% to 7%, no defined pattern of fluctuation was observed.