Essential Oil Composition of Some Sage (Salvia spp.) Species Cultivated in İzmir (Turkey) Ecological Conditions

Background: Salvia L., the largest genus of Lamiaceae, includes about 1000 species, widespread throughout the world. This genus is represented, in Turkish flora, by 99 species and 113 taxa, 58 of which are endemic. Some members of this genus are of economic importance since they have been used as herbal tea, flavouring agents in perfumery and cosmetics. Some sage (Salvia L. ) species has been credited with a long list of medicinal uses: e.g. spasmolytic, antiseptic, astringent. Objective: In present study, essential oil composition of some sage (Salvia L.) species cultivated in Izmir (Turkey) was investigated. Sage species have recently become more common in Turkey and sage cultivation is increasing especially in the Aegean Region. Material and Methods: The species of Salvia fruticosa Mill., Salvia officinalis L., Salvia sclarea L., hybrid (Salvia fruticosa Mill. x Salvia officinalis L.) and Salvia dichroantha L. were used in the study. Essential oils were extracted according to hydro distillation method with clevenger type apparatus and analyzed using GC-FID and GC-MS system. Results: Essential oil contents of Salvia fruticosa Mill. was 3.86%, Salvia officinalis L. 2.42%, Salvia sclarea L. 0.5%, Salvia fruticosa Mill. x Salvia officinalis L. 2.84% and Salvia dichroantha L. 0.19%. The number of components in essential oils were detected 22, 16, 14, 20 and 16 respectively. The chemical composition of the essential oils in Salvia fruticosa Mill. 1,8-cineole (57.18%), Salvia officinalis L. β-thujone (34.59%), Salvia sclarea L. linalyl acetate (46.77%), Salvia fruticosa Mill. x Salvia officinalis L. 1,8-cineole (21.42%) and β-thujone (18.37%) and Salvia dichroantha L. β- caryophyllene (23.11%) and sabinyl acetate (21.87%).