New chemotype of essential oil of Achillea santolina L. collected from different regions of Algeria

Abstract

Chemical composition of essential oil (EO) obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Achillea santolina L. was analysed using GC and GC–MS. Especially, this study involved a large scale investigation, using different regions in which, five flowering wild growing populations collected from the high plateau of Algeria were engaged. Unlike previous reports, the current investigation showed very high EO yields for this plant (up to 1.7% w/w “dw”). The main result of the current study was the occurrence of a new chemotype rich in camphor (39.54–67.86%) and 1,8-cineole (7.14–8.57%).