Determination of volatile components in the essential oil of summer savoryby capillary gas chromatography

Two samples of the essential oil of Crimean savory were examined by capilla ry gas chromatography and chromatography-mass spectrometry; 44 components w ere found, 33 of which were identified. Carvacrol is the major component. I t was demonstrated by comparison between the compositions of various essent ial oils that the differences found in the composition of essential oils of Crimean savory are typical of this kind of product. Natural reasons (growt h in different years differences in the time of storage) are responsible fo r these differences. Carvacrol, p-cymene, and 1,8-cineole are present in th e Crimean oils in significant amounts; they are responsible for the high qu ality of the oils.