Composition of essential oil of costmary [Balsamita major (L.) Desf.] at different growth phases

The essential oils from leaves and flowers of costmary, Balsamita major (L. ) Desf. (syn. Chrysanthemum balsamita L.), were analyzed at various phases of plant growth. The highest contents of oil both in leaves and in flowers were determined before full blooming, 1.15 and 1.34% (w/w), respectively. S eventy-eight volatile compounds have been identified in the oils of Balsami ta major, of which 58 (19 tentatively, 39 positively) have not been reporte d in this plant previously. Carvone and alpha-thujone were found to be domi nating compounds constituting from 51.8 to 68.0% and from 9.0 to 16.1% in t he total oil, respectively. Seasonal variations in the oil compositions wer e not considerable except for the starting phase (May 25, 1995), when the c ontent of carvone was lower and the content of alpha-thujone and sesquiterp enes higher. The content of sesquiterpenes was similar to 2 times higher in flowers than in the leaves. Absolute amount of most components was highest at the bud formation period.