Phytochemical analysis of secondary metabolites of satureja hortensis l.

Objective: The present study was designated to analyse the essential oils and tannins as important secondary metabolites of the aerial part of Satureja hortensis.

Methods: The chemical composition of S. hortensis herb was investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation method.

Results: The essential oil yield in the aerial part of S. hortensis was 1.61%. GC-MS analysis of the essential oils identified the presence of 29 components. Carvacrol (76.16%), as the main component of essential oils, belongs to the group of aromatic compounds. Eight tannin components identified by HPLC and epigallocatechin (130.91х10^-2%) are prevalent among them.

Conclusion: S. hortensis was found to possess considerable amount of phytoconstituents such as essential oils and tannins. The results of this research will help to study pharmacological properties of the investigated plant and to prevent possible adulteration with other plants.