An interpopulation study of the essential oils of Cistus parviflorus L. growing in Crete (Greece)

The composition of the essential oils of nine populations of Cistus parviflorus L., from Crete (Greece) and their interpopulation variability, were investigated by GC-MS. 114 compounds were identified representing an average of 85-96% of oil composition. Labdane diterpenes were detected and identified in the essential oils of Cistus parviflorus L. for the first time. The results obtained from GC-MS analysis of the volatile oils were submitted to principal component and chemometric cluster analysis. Two main chemotypes (clusters) were differentiated; the first of West Crete and the second of East Crete. Carvacrol, caryophyllene oxide, alpha-epi-cadinol, abietatriene, 4-epi-dehydroabietol, dehydro abietol, cis-ferruginol and manoyl oxide mixture of isomers are the main constituents, while oxygenated sesquiterpenes as well as diterpenes have been found in high percentage composition.