Background: Kundmannia anatolica Hub.-Mor. is an endemic specie of Apiaceae diversified in Turkey. Several parts of the plant may contain essential oils in different quantity which can be influenced by environmental factors, mainly altitude. The aim of this study was to test whether there is any altitude effect on volatile chemical constituents of essential oil obtained from the fruits of K. anatolica growing spontaneously in different altitudes of Lakes Region in Turkey. Materials and Methods: K. anatolica was collected in 2015 at different altitudes (400, 820, 1002 and 1560 m) of Lakes Region Turkey. The fruits of the plants were distilled for 3 h using a Clevenger type apparatus according to the British Pharmacopiea (1980). Essential oils of the fruits were collected using hydro distillation method and analyzed by GC-MS/FID. Results: Essential oil contents of fruits increased by corresponding increase in altitude level. Predominant compounds were α-Pinene (27.87-61.94%) and β-Pinene (24.92-36.46%) of the total oil of K. anatolica. Other important compounds were α-Thujene (2.66-8.15%), l-Limonene (1.83-8.23%), α-Phellandrene (1.85-5.01%) and these compounds were higher in low altitudes. Conclusion: Altitude change affected the terpenoid biosynthesis and oxygenated monoterpenes generally and were greatest when low; while sesquiterpene constituents were greatest at high altitudes. The influence of altitude seems to be an important factor for yielding the chemical profile of K. anatolica essential oils. Thus, the location of the plant must be taken into account depending on the intended use.

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The present study was carried out to determine the agronomic and quality characteristics of domestic and foreign safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes in the 2011-2012 growing season in Isparta. In the study, 39 safflower genotypes were used as the plant material. The highest 1000 seed weight and hull content were detected in Ziyang. Arizona SC III was determined as the genotype with the lowest 1000 seed weight, hull content, seed yield, and oil yield. The highest seed yield was recorded in UC-1 (215.9 kg da-1). Oil contents of the genotypes ranged from 22.6 to 33.8% on average and Arizona SC III, Oleic Leed, Centennial, Finch, Ole, S-517, Enana and Leed were determined as the genotypes with the highest oil content. Variation for oleic acid was between 11.1 and 68.3% in 2011 and between 12.0 and 71.6% in 2012. Linoleic acid content varied between 18.0 and 74.7% in 2011 and between 14.2 and 73.9% in 2012. Montola 2000, Ole, UC-1, NO 55-663 and S-517 were found to contain more than 60% oleic acid. Both performances of the genotypes used in the study could further examined by cultivating in different locations and a successful hybridization program compatible with the desired goals of breeding may be drawn up using wide variations reported among the examined morphological and agronomic characters.

The present research was conducted during 2012 in order to determine the essential oil content and composition of Echinophora tenuifolia subsp. sibthorpiana Tutin. Plants were collected during rosette, vegetative growth, full flowering and fruit-ripening stages. Oil was extracted using Clavenger hydrodistillation apparatus from either fresh, shade dried or sun dried samples. Oil composition was determined with a GC/MS. Oil content of samples showed significant variation during the vegetative stages of development. Oil contents of fresh samples were found to be 0.76% at seedling stage whereas oil content has risen to 1.06% at seed set. The shade-dried samples had higher oil contents than the fresh and sun dried samples. The oil composition of pickling herb changed with drying method and growth stage. Throughout the growth stage of the plant, the oil was composed of 21 components and the main components were found to be αphellandrene (47.43 -66.39%) and methyl eugenol (21.29 -38.72%). While methyl eugenol content decreased during vegetation period for both fresh and dried samples, α-phellandrene level increased. Attention should be given to the collection time and drying method of pickling herb for different uses since vegetative stage and drying method influence oil content and composition.

Our study results show that smoking causes symptoms particularly associated with upper respiratory tract and these symptoms may persist in ex-smokers.