Open AccessEffects of different factors influencing the essential oil properties of Thymus vulgaris L.
Author(s) -
Zsuzsanna Pluhár,
Dóra Szabó,
Szilvia Sárosi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plant science today
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.204
H-Index - 6
ISSN - 2348-1900
DOI - 10.14719/pst.2016.3.3.241
Subject(s) - thymus vulgaris , essential oil , biology , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , extraction (chemistry) , mediterranean climate , taste , chemistry , ecology , chromatography
Thymus vulgaris L. is a well-know medicinal and aromatic plant native to the Mediterranean region. The essential oil is considered as the main active constituent, being responsible for its typical odour and taste as well as for several therapeutic effects. Our aim was to demonstrate the most important factors influencing the quality and quantity parameters of thyme oil by summarizing the available literature data and our own scientific results. Genetic background, climatic and growing conditions, techniques of primary processing, storage conditions as well as different extraction methods have proven effects on the essential oil properties and, as a consequence, on its biological activity, either.