Compositions and yield variation of essential oils among and within nine Salvia species from various areas of Iran

• Essential oil yield of top-dried plants obtained by hydrodistillation ranged from 0.07 to 0.71%.
• GC–MS analysis revealed 73 compounds in 22 accessions belonging to the nine species.
• The main constituents were linalool (0.6–51/58%), linalool acetate (0–52/61%), e-caryophylene (3/08–60/58%), germacrene-d (0–25/16%) spathulenol (0–35/4%) and caryophyllen-oxide (0–37/89%).
• Results showed a significant variation in compositions and yield of essential oils among and within Salvia species.

The compositions of essential oils of 22 accessions belonging to nine Salvia species of Salvia nemorosa, Salvia sclarea, Salvia macrosiphon, Salvia verticillata, Salvia eremophilsamia, Salvia aethiopis, Salvia virgata, Salvia reuterana and Salvia limbata, from Iran were assessed. The concentration of essential oil yield obtained by hydrodistillation ranged from 0.07 to 0.71%. GC–MS analysis revealed 73 compounds in these plants. The main constituents were linalool (0.6–51.58%), linalool acetate (0–52.61%), e-caryophylene (3.08–60.58%), germacrene-d (0–25.16%) spathulenol (0–35.4%) and caryophyllen-oxide (0–37.89%). The accessions were separated into five chemotypes using cluster analysis in light of the six major compositions. Results showed a significant variation in compositions and yield of essential oils among and within Salvia species. The chemical variability could be attributed to genetic and environmental factors. The analyses indicated that some of accessions collected from south had more amounts of essential oils yield than other regions.