CHEMICAL CHARACTERISATION OF ESENTIAL OIL FOR NATURAL AND CULTIVATED SALVIA OFFICINALIS FROM NORTH ALBANIA

Abstract: This study present chemical data on essential oil samples of natural and cultivated Salvia Officinalis plant populations from North Albania. Salvia Officinalis is a widespread plant that is native in Mediterranean area and almost in all Albania territory. It is part of Lamiaceae family. Areal parts of Salvia Officinalis have been used since ancient times in culinary, cosmetics and traditional medicine. Sage has different properties (antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, estrogenic, stimulant, etc) and thought to have positive effects in human brain functions. Salvia Officinalis plants from Tropoja (five natural stations and four cultivated areas) were selected in June 2019. The air-dried plant samples were cut in small pieces (1-2 cm). They were subjected of hydro-distillation for 4 hours using Clevenger type apparatus, recommended to European Pharmacopoeia, to obtain Salvia Officinalis essential oil. The chemical composition of the essential oils was obtained using GC/FID technique. VF-1ms capillary column (30 m x 0.33 mm x 0.25 um) were used for separation of its compounds. Main constituents (20 compounds) were found from 92.6% to 98.7% in all studied sage samples from Tropoja (North Albania) whether it was cultivated or natural plants. Their profile was the same between two population and similar to other studies from Mediterranean and Balkan area. It was: alpha-Thujone > Camphor > Cineol > beta-Thujone > Camphene > Alfa-Humulene > beta-Caryophyllene > alpha-Pinene. Alpha-Thujone (the main constituent) was found in higher percentage in cultivated Salvia Officinalis plants because of agricultural areas used for their grow and farmer work. Plant harvesting time can influence in differences between constituents in sage samples.