Abstract

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of components from wild and cultivated LebaneseOriganum syriacum before and after flowering were carried out. Fatty acids were extracted from leaves and identified by GC, minerals and trace elements were analyzed by atomic emission spectroscopy, and essential oils were extracted and identified by GC-MS.  Sixteen fatty acids were obtained, whereas 2 essentials such as linoleic and alpha-linolenic, were dominating in leaves before flowering. 15 minerals were found at a larger amount in the cultivated population. Forty-one essential oils were identified, dominated by carvacrol in cultivated leaves and by thymol in wild leaves. This comparative study shows that O. syriacum was a source of nutrients and constituents for multiple pharmacological and agro-alimentary uses. Optimal conditions for obtaining these components were determined according to harvesting time, before or after flowering, in each wild and cultivated population.

Key words: Origanum syriacum, essential oils, fatty acids, trace elements, carvacrol, thymol.