Unravelling the Chemotaxonomic Identity of “White” and “Black” Oregano (Origanum vulgare) in Northern Greece
Planta Med DOI: 10.1055/a-1949-8895The two types of oregano used by the inhabitants of the villages of Μount Belles (GR1260001), the “white” oregano with white flowers and “black” oregano with purple flowers, were studied.
The two oregano types were collected from five localities along an altitudinal gradient from 217 m up to 1299 m. “White” oregano, was found in the three lowland regions (up to 752 m) where
the Pannonian-Balkanic turkey oak-sessile oak forest habitat (code 91M0) dominates. The “black” oregano was collected from the two higher altitudes, at 1177 m and 1299 m, where the
Asperulo-Fagetum beech forest habitat (9130) occurs. Measurements of the density and size of peltate glandular hairs (sessile glands) on calyces, bracts, and leaves suggest that
“white” oregano is distinguished by its conspicuous – apparently larger – glands. These differences were reflected in the total essential oil content, with the “white” oregano being much
richer (up to 4.3 mL/100 g dry weight) than the “black” (up to 0.6%). Striking differences have also been found in the volatile fraction of their essential oil composition. The “white”
oregano oils were characterized by the high content of carvacrol (up to 92.6% of identified peaks, by Headspace GC-MS). On the other hand, the two “black” oregano oils have a different
aromatic profile, first reported from Greece, with main components including the ...
Source: Planta Medica - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Mertzanidis, Dimitrios Nakas, Alexandros Assimopoulou, Andreana N. Kokkini, Stella Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
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