Determination of essential oil compositions and antimicrobial activity of Achillea gypsicola Hub.-Mor. at different plant parts and phenological stages

In this study, composition and antimicrobial effects of essential oils of Achillea gypsicola Hub.-Mor. root-stem, leaf, flower, flower head samples were evaluated periodically and daily. Major components of the essential oils were camphor, 1,8-cineol and borneol. Significant differences in camphor, 1,8-cineole and borneol ratios were determined depending on the phenological periods, plant parts and harvest time. The highest major component rates were detected in camphor obtained from root-stem samples harvested at full flowering period-1 pm, in 1,8-cineole obtained from flower head samples harvested before seed maturation stage, and in borneol obtained from root-stem samples harvested at pre-flowering stage-6 am. A total of 23 new compounds were first detected in A. gypsicola. When all plant parts are evaluated, it was determined that flower head samples harvested in the evening at seed maturation stage and leaf samples harvested in the evening at post flowering stage showed strong antimicrobial activities against microorganisms.