Environment Conservation Journal (Dec 2015)
Investigating the Effects of Major Ecological Factors on Essential Oils and Existing Chemical Compounds of Nepeta menthoides in Habitat Conditions
Abstract
A native Iranian plant, Nepeta menthoides, located and distributed in the north west of Iran, is a gramineous, perennial plant species which belong s to mint family. Highlands of Sabalan Mountain, in Ardebil province, Shabil and Gotur Suyi regions are habitats for this specific species. This study enjoys samples collected from selective habitats in the stage of 50% flowering; moreover, the collected samples were dried in an appropriate and standard condition. Abooreyhan laboratory of Jungle and Pasture research institute was the place in which the above mentioned samples have undergone the process of essential oils, using the water steam method of distillation. The extracted components were gauged and identified by means of gas chromatography system connected to mass spectrograph. The results of the study distinctly indicated that in the habitat condition, the species grows in the highlands of Sabalan Mountain over the attitude of 3200 to 4000 meters, this specific species is highly visible in series and sandy clay hills, it is demonstrated that the density of the species has been increased as the height was increasing. Essential oil in the investigated area was ranging from 1.6% to 2.40%, admittedly, the least amount was in Gotur Suyi, while, the highest amount belonged to Shabil. Nineteen chemical compounds were identified in samples collected from natural habitats, amongst all, the highest proportion belongs to 8,10-Cineole and Citronellol acetate.8,10- Cineole was ranging from 33 to 34 percent, the least amount was identified in Gotur Suyi region (before hot water spa) and the highest amount was observed between Gotur Suyi and Shabil. As mentioned earlier, Citronellol acetate was the second chemical compound, which was ranging from 16% to 31% and the least and the highest amount were known in Gotur suyi and Shabil, respectively. Samian medicinal plants research station possesses the highest level with the value of 57%.
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