Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Msc student of Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, Iran
2 Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran
3 Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
To investigate variations in the essential oil content and composition, leaves of three Eucalyptus species named E. melliodora, E. kingsmilli and E. dundasii were collected in the middle of four seasons during two years from two warm regions, Dezful and Shushtar in South of Iran. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and the oils were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The maximum oil yield of E. melliodora was obtained in winter (3.1-3.9%) and spring (2.6-2.7%) from Shushtar samples, and in autumn (1.7-2.0%) from Dezful samples. The highest percentage of 1,8-cineole was found in winter and autumn in both regions. The maximum oil yield of E. kingsmilli was obtained in winter (2.8-3.1%) from Shushtar samples, and in authumn (2.7-3.2%) from Dezful samples. The highest percentage of 1, 8-cineole was found in winter and autumn in Shushtar and autumn, spring and winter in Dezful. The maximum oil yield of E. dundasii was obtained in winter (2.8-4.7%) from Shushtar samples, and in summer (0.9%) from Dezful samples. The highest percentage of 1, 8-cineole was found in spring and autumn in Shudhtar and spring in Dezful. There were also some variations in the amounts of other major and minor components. According to the results and to achieve a suitable quality and quantity of Eucalyptus essential oil, cultivation of E. melliodora in Shushtar and Dezful is recommended. For obtaining the highest oil yield and 1,8-cineole content from the mentioned Eucalyptus species, the best harvesting time for E. melliodora is spring and winter in Shushtar and autumn in Dezful. Cultivation of E. kingsmilli in Dezful is more suitable than that in Shushtar and the best harvesting time is spring and autumn in Shushtar and autumn in Dezful. Cultivation of E. dundasii is also recommended in Shushtar while not in Dezful due to its low yield and quality of essential oil. The best harvesting time for E. dundasii in Shushtar is winter (the highest oil yield) and spring (the highest 1, 8-cineole percentage).
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