Changes in Essential Oil Content of Coriander (Coriandrum sativumL.) Aerial Parts during Four Phonological Stages in Iran

The quantitative variation of the essential oil from the aerial parts of cultivated Coriandrum sativum L. were examined during 2008 year in Iran. Plant materials were harvested at different phonological stages (i.e. vegetative, full flowering, green fruits, and brown fruits) of the life cycle of this species. Essential oils were obtained from the aerial parts of the plant by using an all glass Clevenger-type apparatus, for 3 h. The results of this experiment indicated that essential oil yields shown marked increase during maturation process. Essential oils at the green fruits stage of maturity (immature fruits) was more than other stages so that yields of oil (w/w %) at different stages were in the order of vegetative (0.14 %), full flowering (0.23 %), green fruits (0.37 %) and brown fruits (0.31 %).