The effect of sowing date and growth stage on the essential oil composition of three types of parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Essential oils obtained by simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE) from leaves, petioles and roots of three types of parsley (turnip-rooted, plain leaf and curly leaf type), sown on three different dates, were analysed by GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis. Parsley plants were found to produce mainly (beta)-phellandrene, 1,3,8-p-menthatriene, (alpha)-,p-dimethylstyrene, myristicin, (beta)-myrcene and apiole. In some cases (alpha)- and (beta)-pinene were also found, whereas (beta)-elemene was detected, especially in the curly leaf type. The growth stage, plant tissue and date of sowing, as well as the climate conditions, all had a significant effect on the essential oil composition by altering the ratio of the above substances.