Medicinal & Aromatic Plants
Open Access

Abstract

Chemotypic Characterization and Antioxidant Activities of Rosemarinus officinalis Essential Oil from Ethiopian Cultivars

Bekri Melka Abdo, Gelila Asaminew, Beriso Mieso and Weretaw Sisay

In Ethiopia, R. officinalis is locally known as "Yetibs Qitel" used for flavor of various cuisine. Three varieties of R. officinalis were registered at Wendo Genet Agricultural Research Center and aimed to define the Physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activities of their essential oils. Hydro distillation of fresh R. officinalis leaves was acquired an essential oil yield (v/w) of 1.02% (Rosemary-01), 0.84% (Rosemary-02) and 0.65% (Rosemary-03). GC-MS analysis of the essential oils also revealed that major abundance of Eucalyptol (22.25%), α-Pinene (20.39%) and camphor (8.04%) for Rosemary-01; Eucalyptol (21.46%), α-Pinene (17.27%) and Verbenone (13.65%) for Rosemary-02 and Eucalyptol (17.33%), α-Pinene (15.75%) and endo-Borneol (9.09%) for Rosemary-03 variety. R. officinalis essential oils show a free radical scavenging activity against DPPH with an IC₅₀ value of the range 457.01-589.68 μL/mL. The synergy of genotype and environmental conditions makes variability on yield, chemical composition and biological activities of R. officinalis essential oils to be established in Ethiopia.