Essential oil composition ofVitex agnus-castus-comparison of accessions and different plant organs

Leaves, immature and mature fruits of seven different accessions of chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L., Verbenaceae), cultivated at one location, were analysed for their essential oil composition. The main compounds of the essential oil were 1,8-cineole, sabinene, α-pinene, β-phellandrene and α-terpinyl acetate, trans-β-farnesene and bicyclogermacrene. Although the same compounds were present in all plant organs, the leaves differed from the fruits in the concentrations of all compounds except α-terpinyl acetate and manoyl-oxide. The compositions of immature and mature fruits were equal. Two distinct chemotypes (an α-pinene chemotype and an α-terpinyl acetate chemotype) could be identified in Vitex agnus-castus. Both chemotypes occurred between as well within accessions. The differences between the accessions were based mainly on the occurrence of these chemotypes in accessions and the frequency of their occurrence within accessions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.