Soil Sorts Modify the Composition of Mediterranean Mandarin Essential Oils

Abstract

Soil sorts vary in their physical and chemical properties, which in turn lead to diversity in essential oil constituents. Mediterranean mandarin (Citrus reticulata (Ten.) var. deliciosa) essential oil is high value as it is used in perfume and food industry. This research paper aimed to evaluate leaf, flower and peel essential oils of Mediterranean mandarin trees grown in fertile and arid soils. Various essential oils were isolated by hydro-distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Various modifications have occurred in Mediterranean mandarin essential oils produced from trees grown in both fertile and arid soils. Linalool, dimethyl anthranilate, and limonene were the major components of leaf, flower and peel essential oils, respectively. Oxygenated monoterpenes was the major chemical group of leaf and flower essential oils, while it was monoterpene hydrocarbons of peel essential oil. Samples collected from trees planted in arid soil resulted in the maximum values of essential oils content (%), major components and main chemical groups. It may be concluded that Mediterranean mandarin essential oils and their components vary according to characteristics of growing soil, and this leads to diversity of its biological characteristics and effects. On the other hand, results current study indicates the possibility of cultivating mandarin in arid soils to increase the production of natural products.