A Newcis-Sabinene Hydrate Chemotype Detected in Large Thyme (Thymus pulegioidesL.) Growing Wild in Denmark

Foliage was collected from flowering individuals of large thyme (Thymus pulegioides L.) at seven localities in southern Denmark. The leaf material was soaked in 96% ethanol and subsequently analyzed for terpenes using GC and GC/MS. Five chemotypes were detected: carvacrol, linalool, geraniol and thymol, all of which are known to appear in large thyme. In addition, individuals containing the monoterpene cis-sabinene hydrate as the dominant component of their essential oil were found. A sabinene hydrate chemotype has not previously been detected in large thyme, although it does occur in other thyme species.