Effect of ontogenetic variability on essential oil content and its composition in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.).

This study was carried out at Ankara ecological conditions in 2012. In experiment, Melissa officinalis ssp. officinalis were used as plant material and leaf and herb samples were taken at different 3 growth stages (before flowering, beginning of flowering and full flowering) with three replications. After drying samples in the shade, the essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC/MS. The results indicated that essential oil content and its compositions were significantly influenced by growth stages. Essential oil content was varied from 0.06% to 0.13% and from 0.03 to 0.08% in leaf and herb, respectively and the highest essential oil content was recorded at before flowering stage in leaf and herb. In the other hand, caryophyllene oxide was detected as the main component in both leaf and herb at all growth stages, excepting leaf at before flowering. So, it’s recommend that in Ankara conditions, Melissa officinalis should be harvested at before flowering stage in terms of essential oil content and its composition.