The effect of Heights on Chemical Composition of Essential Oil of Bitter Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum) fruits

The essential oils of fruit of Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum (Apiaceae) growing wild in South Anatolia were extracted by hydrodistillation, and analysed by GC and GC-MS. The percentage yields of the essential oils from fruits of bitter fennel harvested in different heights were 2.66 %, 2.0 % and 1.66 %, respectively. The major constituents varied depending on harvest years. The major constituents of bitter fennel fruit were methyl chavicol (estragol), fenchone and limonene. Methyl chavicol contents of oil changed between 50.2 % (600 m height) to 69.2 % (1600 m height). Fenchone contents of samples varied between 6.5 % and 32.8 %. The highest fenchone content was established at the level of 600 m height. While limonene contents of oil were found as 7.1 % and 8.2 % for 600 m and 1600 m heights, respectively, it was determined as 0.37 % for sea level.