Rosa damascena essential oils: a brief review about chemical composition and biological properties

Damask rose is one of the most important aromatic plants over the world, although mostly cultivated in Bulgaria, Turkey, and Iran. Damask rose is used not only as an ornamental plant but also for extracting essential oils from petals and buds. From flowers is also obtained rose water, rose concrete and rose absolute for being applied in foodstuffs, perfumery and cosmetics (essential oil, concrete, absolute), and pharmaceutical industry. A brief review upon the chemical composition of Damask rose essential oils (EOs) and their biological properties (antimicrobial, antioxidant, relaxant, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, among other properties) was made. The factors that influence the chemical composition of EOs is also reviewed.