Seasonal variation in the essential oil composition of Salvia microphylla

Abstract

The leaf essential oils of Salvia microphylla cv. “hot lips” were obtained by hydrodistillation during the vegetative (spring), flowering (summer), and senescent (autumn) stages. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major components were guaiol (24.6-26.3%), α-eudesmol (15.6-19.9%), (E)-caryophyllene (5.5-11.5%), camphor (3.5-10.5%), and 1,8-cineole (1.4-6.2%). Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, especially (E)-caryophyllene, were elevated in the spring; essential oil yield, monoterpene hydrocarbons, and oxygenated monoterpenoids, in particular camphor and 1,8-cineole, were elevated in the summer; and monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids were elevated in the autumn.