Seasonal Variation of the Essential Oils of Salvia lavandulifolia: Antibacterial Activity

Abstract Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl.) is an important medicinal plant native from the Iberian Peninsula being the species of the genus most commonly grown in this area. The seasonal variation of the essential oil chemical composition in organic cropping has been analysed. Besides, the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the essential oils has been evaluated. Essential oils extracted from aerial parts of the S. lavandulifolia by steam distillation show an important variation both on the yield and on the chemical composition during the different seasons. The main constituents of the oil were identified as 1,8-cineole (21.4–33.8 %), limonene (5.6–10.4 %), α-pinene (10.5–17.5 %), β-pinene (6.0–17.3 %), myrcene (t-10.0 %), camphor (6.1–9.4 %), and trans-caryophyllene (4.0–8.5 %), varying according to the seasons. According to our results essential oils coming from autumn and winter time produce the higher inhibition on the grow of most of the microorganism tested, and they are also more effe...