Research in component composition of essential oils from various organs of Silphium perfoliatum L.

Abstract

The aim. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the qualitative and quantitative composition of essential oils isolated from different organs of S. perfoliatum L. to identify organ-dependent variations and expand current knowledge on the phytochemical profile of this species. Materials and methods. The plant materials of S. perfoliatum used in this study were collected in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. Hydrodistillates obtained from dried various organs of S. perfoliatum L. according to the methods of the European Pharmacopoeia were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection (GC–MS) using an Agilent 6890/5973 GC–MS system operated with ChemStation software for mass- selective detectors (MSD). Agilent HP-5MSI capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm i.d., film thickness 0.25 μm) were used. Research results. The yields of essential oils (EOs) in S. perfoliatum L. organs ranged from 2.66 to 5.46 mL/kg. In total, 84 volatile compounds were identified in the raw materials, including monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, aldehydes, and other aroma compounds. Sesquiterpenes were the dominant class in all samples (60.44–77.53%). Caryophyllene oxide, germacrene-type alcohols, and caryophyllene prevailed in the aerial parts, whereas root distillates were characterised by silphiperfol derivatives such as silphiperfol-5-ene and presilphiperfol-7-ene. Monoterpenes were most abundant in flowers (23.60%), with α-pinene and camphene as key constituents, while roots contained negligible amounts. Diterpenes, mainly phytol, were detected predominantly in leaves, highlighting organ-specific differences in volatile biosynthesis. A comparative analysis of leaf essential oils collected in 2023 and 2024 demonstrated qualitative stability with quantitative variation. Sesquiterpenes remained dominant in both years (67.19% in 2023; 60.51% in 2024). Caryophyllene oxide and germacrene-type alcohols were major constituents in both samples, though phytol content increased markedly in 2024 (16.54% vs 5.46%). In contrast, 2023 samples showed higher levels of monoterpenes (7.97% vs 5.88%) and aldehydes (7.72% vs 4.36%), indicating seasonal shifts in volatile composition.