Chemical intra-Mediterranean variation and insecticidal activity of Crithmum maritimum

The chemical composition of the volatile metabolites of Crithmum maritimum harvested from several geographic localities along the Mediterranean coasts was studied by GC and GC-MSD. The major oil constituents were found to be dillapiole, gamma-terpinene, sabinene, limonene and beta-phellandrene. The Western populations were richer in dillapiole, whereas the Southern collections were characterized by increased amounts of thymol methyl ether and gamma-terpinene. The Italian chemical profiles differentiated by the significant contributions of carvacrol methyl ether and isoterpinolene. The essential oils were also investigated for their insecticidal activity and their repellency against Pheidole pallidula (Nylander) ants and found to possess significant activity.