Effect of cryopreservation on essential oil of Satureja spicigera

Abstract

Conservation of genetic resources of S. spicigera is important. Because the life of this valuable species has been threatened by biotic and abiotic stresses. Seed storage techniques at very low temperature (-196 °C) using liquid nitrogen is one way of maintaining germplasm with much less cost and without loss of viability on storage and it is useful when it does not lead to changes in the chemical composition of essential oil in the desired plant. In order to investigate the phytochemical stability and compare the type and amount of identified compositions, the treated seeds were transferred to the liquid nitrogen at –196 °C for 1 week as compared to the control treatment. The aerial parts of S. spicigera were collected at flowering stage and dried in the laboratory. The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by a combination of capillary GC and GC-MS. Eleven compounds were recognized in the essential oil of mentioned plant in the cryopreservation. The main constituents in the essential oil included thymol (41.1%), γ-terpinene (21.1%), p-cymene (17.2%) and carvacrol (11.9%). Results indicated that regarding the number, type and percentage of compounds existing in the essential oils, there was no difference between the control and cryopreservation treatment so by using the cryopreservation technique, the seeds of this valuable endangered species can be preserved for a long period

Keywords

• cryopreservation
• essential oil
• germplasm
• phytochemical stability
• satureja spicigera