Changes in essential oil components of perilla (Perilla ocymoides L.) leaves in growth stage

The amount and com position of essential oil of perilla leaves P-64 were in vestigated at several growing stages by using gas chromatography (GLC). The composition of essential oil components was different depending on the gro wth stages. The amount of essential ail components was small at the initial stage hut showed high value in the middle stage, whereas in the end stage it tended to decrease. The amounts of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, linalool a nd alpha-caryophyllene were small, and did not have a remarkable change thr ough the growing. The amount of perillaldehyde showed the tendency to incre ase although the amounts of limonene and beta-caryophyllene decreased as gr ow up.