Identification of the Genotype from the Content and Composition of the Essential Oil of Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citriodora Palau)

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol. 55; no. 21; pp. 8664 - 8669
• Main Authors: Gil, Alejandra, Van Baren, Catalina M., Di Leo Lira, Paola M., Bandoni, Arnaldo L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 17.10.2007
• Subjects: Aloysia; Aloysia citriodora; Aroma and flavouring agent industries; Biological and medical sciences; biomass partition; chemical composition; chemotypes; cultivars; dry matter accumulation; essential oils; Flavors and Aromas; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genotype; lemon verbena; Monoterpenes - analysis; Oils, Volatile - chemistry; Species Specificity; Verbena - chemistry; Verbena - genetics; Verbenaceae; wild relatives; chemotypes; Aloysia citriodora; lemon verbena; Verbenaceae; biomass partition; Partition; Genotype; Identification; Biomass; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Aloysia triphylla; Spermatophyta; Chemical composition; Essential oil
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/jf0708387

Aloysia citriodora accessions from cultivated material, botanical collections, and wild populations were studied by means of their biomass and essential oil production and composition to assist the selection of the most promising genotype. The study was carried out through both field experiments during two year’s time and laboratory processes. Data were evaluated by means of univariate and multivariate techniques. Aloysia citriodora intraspecific variation was accounted for by differences in both yield and chemical profiles of the essential oils, but no differences were found in the biomass production. Three chemotypes were identified according to qualitative and quantitative differences of the essential oils. For the higher contents of neral and geranial, Mendoza accession was the most promising to be encouraged for future crops.