Chemical Diversity in Indian Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.)

The terpenoid composition of the essential oils of 17 different populations of Origanum vulgare L. collected from wild populations and subsequently grown under similar conditions in the sub-temperate region of the Western Himalaya. was studied Analysis by CC (RI) and GC/MS allowed the identification of 51 components. representing 90 15 to 99 94% of the total oil The two classes of the phenolic compounds and the monoterpenoids were predominant in all the essential oils On the basis of the major constituents. i e. marker compounds. and by comparison of the results with previous reports, new chemotypes could he identified Principal component analysis was performed to determine the chemical variability within the different populations of O vulgare collected and grown under similar conditions Based on the marker compounds, six chemotypes with significant variations in their terpenoid profile were noticed within the 17 populations