Effects of salicylic acid on quality and quantity of essential oil components in Lippia citriodora H.B.K.

The world production and consumption of essential oils and perfumes are increasing very fast. Exogenous salicylic acid (SA) was effective in inducing secondary metabolites formation in plant cell culture or in vivo plants. To study the effect of exogenous application of salicylic acid on volatile oil content and composition of lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora H.B.K.), an experiment was conducted as a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Experimental treatments included salicylic acid at four levels (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mM), distillated water and control (non treat). It’s essential oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Results showed that SA application increased content of β-Pinene, 1,8-Cineol, ɣ-Terpinene, Terpinolene, cis limonene oxide, α-terpineol, neral, α-terpinyl acetate, geranyl acetate, ɣ-elemene, α-humulene, cubenol, spathulenol, globulol and epi-α-cadinol. Some compounds such as α-Pinene, sabinene, limonene and citronellal were reduced by SA treatments. The yield of essential oil was highest at 10 mM (0.71%). The findings suggest that SA at 10 mM was the best treatment considering the measured compounds.