Paper Details

Abstract

The Institute of Botany PLE MSE of Azerbaijan Republic holds one of the world’s most diverse and long-established collections of plant specimens, both in terms of species variety and historical depth. The climate of the Absheron Peninsula closely resembles subtropical regions, which makes it a favorable environment for a wide range of plants. Over the years, many research projects have been carried out at the Institute, showing that most introduced plants are able to adapt and grow successfully under Absheron conditions. This study examines the subtropical plant Vitex agnus-castus L. introduced to Absheron, focusing on its biological characteristics and the production of essential oils from its leaves and seeds at different stages of growth. It also explores the biochemical properties of these oils. Plant samples collected in 2025 were processed using standard technological methods, and essential oils were extracted through hydrodistillation. The oil yield was then calculated as a percentage. The chemical composition of the oils was analyzed using GC-MS chromatography. The results showed noticeable differences in both the amount and composition of essential oils depending on the plant’s growth stage. The oil yield was slightly higher during fruit ripening (0.285%) compared to the flowering stage (0.263%). GC-MS analysis revealed that during flowering, the main components were α-pinene (27.92%), 1,8-cineole (15.12%), and sabinene (8.24%). In the fruit ripening stage, the dominant compounds shifted slightly to 1,8-cineole (28.43%), α-pinene (26.1%), and sabinene (15.14%). Finally, these findings were compared with similar studies conducted in other countries, helping to place the results in a broader scientific context.

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