Chemical composition, plant genetic differences, and antifungal activity of the essential oil of Helichrysum italicum G. Don ssp. microphyllum (Willd) Nym

J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Feb 12;51(4):1030-4. doi: 10.1021/jf025940c.

Abstract

The chemical composition of the essential oil of the Sardinian dwarf curry plant [Helichrysum italicum G. Don ssp. microphyllum (Willd) Nym] was studied. Genetic analysis suggested the presence of two chemotypes; morphological and chemical differences confirmed the presence of two chemotypes (A and B). The maximum yields were 0.18 and 0.04% (v/w) for flowering tops and stems, respectively. The concentrations of nerol and its esters (acetate and propionate), limonene, and linalool reach their highest values during the flowering stage both in flowers and in stems. Besides the essential oil, type B showed an interesting antifungal activity.

MeSH terms

  • Acyclic Monoterpenes
  • Cyclohexenes
  • Flowers / chemistry
  • Fungicides, Industrial / pharmacology*
  • Helichrysum / chemistry*
  • Helichrysum / genetics*
  • Helichrysum / growth & development
  • Limonene
  • Monoterpenes / analysis
  • Oils, Volatile / chemistry*
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Plant Oils / chemistry
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Plant Stems / chemistry
  • Terpenes / analysis

Substances

  • Acyclic Monoterpenes
  • Cyclohexenes
  • Fungicides, Industrial
  • Monoterpenes
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Oils
  • Terpenes
  • Limonene
  • linalool