Phytochemical Analysis of Normal and Natural Mutant Types of Juniperus polycarpos

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Medicinal Plants, Arak University, Arak, Iran

2 Department of Landscape Engineering, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

Abstract

After conducting a field survey and observing different phenotypes in natural habitats, we investigated the composition of hydro-distilled essential oils from leaves of two distinct phenotypes of wild-growing Juniperus polycarpos. These specimens were collected from the Zagros Mountains range in Fars Province, Iran, and analyzed utilizing Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oil content in the standard and naturally mutated phenotypes of J. polycarpos ranged between 1.18 and 0.97% v/w, respectively. Phytochemical analysis of the extracted oils revealed significant differences in the essential oil quality of the two phenotypes of J. polycarpos. The main compounds identified in the studied types included α-pinene, α-cedrene, β-cedrene, γ-cadinene, δ-cadinene, and cedrol. The observed variation in the essential oil profiles is attributed to differences in constituent proportions and the presence of unique components. Concerning the main constituents, the essential oils of J. polycarpos types were categorized into two chemotypes: I) α-pinene in the typical type and II) α-pinene-cedrol in the mutant type. Due to similarities in climatic conditions, the observed variations are attributed to genetic differences induced by natural mutation. Considering the reported results, the wild populations of J. polycarpos can be suggested as valuable sources of α-pinene and cedrol.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Medicinal plants and By-products
Volume 14, Issue 4
July and August 2025
Pages 357-362

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