Aromatic biodiversity among the flowering plant taxa of Turkey

Abstract

Flora of Turkey is rich and diverse with well over 11 000 flowering taxa recorded in the 9-volume set of Prof. Davis's monumental work and its two supplements. Chemical diversity among the flowering plants of Turkey is well documented in the recently published volume 11 of the Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands. Among the aromatic taxa, remarkable examples can be found in families such as Labiatae, Compositae, Umbelliferae, etc. The occurrence of volatile chemicals in aromatic plants is not only an indication of chemical diversity but may also help solve taxonomical problems is comprehensively studied genera. Aromatic diversity is illustrated with examples from genera such as Sideritis, Salvia, Thymus, Origanum, Satureja, Thymbra, Mentha, Micromeria, Ziziphora, Calamintha, Cyclotrichium, Acinos, Echinophora, Ferulago, Heracleum, Pimpinella, Tanacetum, and Betula. The economic implications of aromatic biodiversity and the importance of bioprospecting are highlighted.

The effect of Mediterranean thyme (<i>Thymbra spicata</i> L. var. spicata) essential oil on fattening performance and ruminal parameters in lamb

“…spicata and intricata, Thymbra sintenisii var. sintenisii and isaurica with essential oil content of 1.0-3.4%, 1.4-2.7%, 1.5%, and 1.6%, respectively (Başer, 2002). The major component of their essential oils is carvacrol (Başer, 2002;Ünlü et al, 2009).…”

“…sintenisii and isaurica with essential oil content of 1.0-3.4%, 1.4-2.7%, 1.5%, and 1.6%, respectively (Başer, 2002). The major component of their essential oils is carvacrol (Başer, 2002;Ünlü et al, 2009). The TS essential oil was reported to consist of 53.1% oxygenated compounds, 25.7% monoterpene hydrocarbons, 4.4% sesquiterpenes and 14.1% p-cymene (Hancı et al, 2003).…”

Short Communication: An investigation on antimicrobial activity of endemic <i>Origanum solymicum</i> and <i>Origanum bilgeri</i> from Turkey

“…Out of 52 known taxa of Origanum, 60 % are recorded to grow in Turkey. This high rate is suggestive that the gene centre of Origanum is in Turkey (Baser, 2002 …”

“…In addition, both the germination and the mycelial growth of C. albicans were found to be inhibited by Origanum oil and carvacrol in a dose-dependent manner (Manohar et al, 2001). It was reported that Origanum bilgeri contains carvacrol and O. solymicum has p-Cymene (Baser, 2002). The antimicrobial activities of these plant extracts may possibly be due to the presence of carvacrol and p-Cymene.…”

Essential Oil Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Salvia staminea

“…Recently, many medicinal plants have appeared on markets shelves as antioxidants resources for the food industry. Salvia is represented with 89 species, 50 of them are endemic to Turkey [4]. Several species such as S. officinalis L., S. fruticosa Miller, S. tomentosa Miller and S. virgata Jacq.…”