The effect of harvest years on chemical composition of essential oil of pickling herb (Echinophora tenuifolia subsp. Sibthorpiana) leaves used as medicinal plant

The essential oils of leaves of Echinophora tenuifolia subsp. sibthorpiana (Apiaceae) growing wild in Middle Anatolia were obtained by hydrodistillation, and analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The major constituents were affected depend on harvest years. Methyl-eugenol, δ-3-carene and p-cymene were established as the major components of pickling herb leaves collected between 2003 and 2009. The main constituents of leave oil were methyl-eugenol (24.99% to 90.16%), δ-3-carene (2.57% to 34.80%) and p-cymene (1.23% to 9.81%) depending on the harvest years.