Phsyical and chemical properties of oregano (origanum spp.) essential oils from central and southern Argentina

ASENSIO C.M.; GROSSO N. R.; JULIANI H.R.

Atenas

Congreso; 26th Annual Meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops; 2014

Argentina has a rich and remarkable history of using and producing herbs, spices and medicinal plants (HSMP). These plants are collected from the wild or grown as commercial crops (e.g. oreganos) and used in many commercial products, including herbal teas, spices, beverages, over the counter medications and pharmaceutical products. In Argentina, oregano is among one of the most important commercial crops, as it has generated export markets for up to 1200 tons per year with a value of $2.5 million of US dollars. The objective of this work is to assess the physical and chemical profiles of Origanum spp. essential oils from central Argentina (Cordoba province) and new production areas in the southern Argentinian provinces of Rio Negro and Neuquen. Essential oils of four different oregano types were used in this study ("Compacto", "Cordobes", "Criollo", and "Mendocino"). Chemical (GC/MS), physicochemical (refractive index, density) were determined. The eight oils were characterized by high amounts of trans-sabinene hydrate (17.9 - 27.2%), terpinen-4-ol (6.2 - 11.1%), terpinene (7-9.8%), thymol (12.1-17.4%) and lower amounts of carvacrol (0.1-3.5%). Physical/chemical properties of oils showed that these parameters can be used to differentiate these oils. Essential oils from central Argentina (?Mendocino? from Cordoba) showed higher acceptance aroma rates. This study used a science based approach to increase interest in Argentinian natural products and to contribute to develop trade and quality control standards in support of their commercialization.