Essential oil variation of Prangos ferulacea Lindl. in different stage of plant growth

Jashir (Prangos ferulacea Lindl.) is a permanent, tall and fragrant plant which belongs to Umbelliferae family grows wild in most regions of Iran. The aerial parts have been used as rich herbs in animal feeding and the folk medicine. This plant was collected from Broujerd Mountains of Lorestan province in Iran. The air-dried aerial parts were subjected to hydro-distillation. Identification of essential oil constituents was made by GC and GC/MS. The highest yield of oil was obtained from pre-flowering stage (2.1%) and the least amount from fruiting stage (1.2%). The essential oils were characterized by high hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpenes. The main constituents in different growth stages were α-pinene, β-pinene and α-terpinolene. In all samples α-pinene and β-pinene constituted more than 65% of the oil. α-pinene and β-pinene are abundant in pre-flowering stage more than other stages. Other differences in oil composition in different growth stages like presence of β-aryophyllene in fruiting stage and absence of γ-terpinene and α-phellandrene in pre-flowering stage were observed.