Seasonal variation in the essential oil of Satureja kitaibelii determines chemotypes

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was a chemical and chemometric analysis of Satureja kitaibelii Wierzb. ex Heuff. essential oil during different stages of development, with emphasis on chemotaxonomy. The most abundant compound class in the S. kitaibelii oil during examined phenological stages was oxygenated monoterpenes (21.3–61.2%), except vegetative stage, in which monoterpene hydrocarbons are dominant (51.1%). Geraniol, limonene, p-cymene and borneol are the most abundant compounds of essential oil during different stages of development. The highest variation in content, during plant development, was shown by the most dominant component, geraniol (coefficient of variation 112.3%). Chemometric analysis indicated two chemotypes: limonene/p-cymene/geraniol and limonene/p-cymene/borneol. We are of the opinion that the three most abundant EO components should determine the chemotype. Our results lead to the conclusion that essential oil isolated from the plant in 1 month should not be used to determine the chemotype.