Change of Essential Oil Composition of Parsley in Exposure to Static Magnetic Field

The composition of essential oil of plants is influenced by genetic and environmental conditions. Volatile oils extracted from traditional herbs are interesting natural products and represent an important part of the traditional pharmacopeia.

The effect of the continuous static magnetic field (30 mT, 8 hours) exposure on the composition of essential oil in harvested parsley plants (Petroselinum crispum L.) was investigated. Essential oil was extracted using Clevenger distillation and its composition was determined by GC-MS.

Essential oil yield increased from 2.15% in control plants to 2.4% in samples exposed to static magnetic field. Thirteen compounds were identified representing over 98% of the oil components in control parsley plants with major components of myristicin (68.9%), phytol acetate (6.4%), sesqui phellandrene (beta) (5.9%), and germacrene D (4.1%). In magnetic field, the treated plants, myristicin quantity increased significantly up to 90.7%; whereas the other components were decreased or not detected.

Concerning the importance of myristicin as an effective cancer chemo preventive agent, post harvest exposure of parsley plants to the magnetic field can be suggested as an effective method to enhance the myristicin selectivity.