Volatile compounds of the Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (Lamiaceae) Species Cultured in Turkey

The genus Lavandula L. (Lamiaceae) is represented in Turkey by 3 taxa (Lavandula angustifolia Mill. subsp. angustifolia, L. pedunculata (Mill.) subsp. cariensis (Boiss.), L. stoechas L. subsp. stoechas). L. angustifolia is locally known as “lavanta”, L. pedunculata subsp. cariensis is locally known as “karan”, L. stoechas subsp. stoechas . is locally known as “karabaş” ( Mill, 1982; Dirmenci, 2012). Within this family there are many medical species such as Lavandula L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill. known as medical lavender, is conducting culture and research studies in many places in the world. It is also known as the ‘’English lavender’2 or L. officinalis. Lavender is used in aromatherapy. Its sedative nature, on inhalation has been shown both in animals and man. Experimental studies in humans and animals have shown that the sedative effect comes from linalool and linalyl acetate. Tanins contained in flowers of lavender is showned antidiarrheal effect. Essential oil of lavender is used in various skin diseases and wound healing. Essential oil of lavender shortens the sleeping period, prolongs the sleeping period. In addition, it also shows antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, fungicidal, insecticidal and acaricidal effects (Zeybek and Haksel, 2010). In this study, we were made to create sources Lavandula agriculture in Turkey. We collected four different provinces in the Lavandula (5 samples and 1 commercial oil). The results of a total five local and commercial are given below. The flowers of Lavandula were water distilled for 3 h using a Clevenger type apparatus. The essential oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS simultaneously. The main constituents were identified as linalool 31.9 – 50.0 % and linalyl acetate 15.4 – 42.0 %.