The chemical composition of the essential oil of Dracocephalum moldavica L. from Vojvodina Province (Serbia)
Authors/Creators
- 1. Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad, Maksima Gorkog 30, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
- 2. Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Njegoševa 12, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- 3. University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- 4. University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Science, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Description
Dracocephalum moldavica L., also called Moldavian balm or Moldavian dragonhead, is native to temperate climate of Asia, but it was naturalized in Eastern and Central Europe, North Africa, China and north-eastern United States. This is an annual plant, with numerous stems (up to 6), 22-45 cm high, and blue flowers arranged in pseudo-whorls growing in leaf axils. Essential oil accumulates in exogenous oil-containing cells at the dorsal sides of the leaves, and in the inflorescence. Because of this, the entire plant has a citrus-like flavor, resembling that of lemon balm and catnip. This plant is extensively used as a spice and for composition of tea blends, in food aromatization (canned fish, jams, candies, syrups), perfumery, alcohol industry, soaps and detergents. D. moldavica from Vojvodina Province, Serbia contains geranial (29.6%), geranyl acetate (27.2%) and neral (19.4%) as the most abundant compounds. Further investigations will be focused on the influence of weather conditions on essential oil composition, as well as on bioactive potential of this essential oil.