Effect of Growing Locations on the Essential Oil Content and Chemical Compositions ofBunium persicumBoiss Wild Growing in Iran

Four different growing locations were studied to determine the influence of climatic conditions on the essential oil content and compositions of black zira (Bonium persicum). The essential oils of dried fruits were extracted by hydro distillation technique and were analyzed by capillary GC and GC-MS. According to the results the essential oil content and compositions of B. pereicum fruits significantly affected by growing locations. The largest amount of the essential oil (8.5 % w/w) based on dry weight was extracted from the fruit which were harvested from Takhte-Khorjeh region and the lowest amount (3.5 %w/w) based on dry weight from Jopar location was measured. Seventeen, sixteen, fourteen and fifteen components of the essential oil were identified by GC and GC-MS from Jopar, Bidoiye, Sardoiye and Takhte-Khorjeh regions respectively. The essential oils of fruits harvested from Sardoiye and Takhte-Khorje accumulated more cuminaldehyde (38.8 and 33 % respectively) than essential oil of fruits harvested from Jopar and Bidoiye (15.7 and 10.9 % respectively). The other major components of the essential oil of seeds of different growing locations studied in this experiment were γ-terpinen-7-al, γ-terpinene and p-cymene. The physico-chemical characteristics of the experimental soils and geographical situation and weather condition of different growing locations studied in this experiment were different, and these results confirmed the reports based on affecting of environmental factors on the quantity and quality of active substances of essential oil bearing plants.