Essential oil content and composition in various ecotypes of damask rose from different ecological regions

Abstract

Rosa damascena as a holy ancient plant with modern uses in perfumery and therapeutic processes, should be more investigated due to its utilization in food ingredients, preclinical and clinical studies, and cosmetics industry. Here, we have evaluated the proline content, total phenol of sepal and petal, oil content, and essential oil (EO) composition in different damask rose ecotypes [(Oroumieh; OR), (Golab; GB), (Oskou; OS), (London; LN), and (Mahallat; MT)]. The highest proline and oil content produced in GB ecotype. There was a positive correlation between oil content and proline production in ecotypes (r2 = 0.8064). The major compounds of rose EO in OR, GB, OS, and MT ecotypes were nonadecane, heneicosane, citronellol, and geraniol. Whereas the main compounds in LN oil were heneicosane (11.43%), Z-5-nonadecene (10.34%), citronellol (8.84%), and geraniol (6.97%). The highest content of terpenes + sesquiterpenes were produced in GB followed by MT, while the lowest terpenes + sesquiterpenes content were in OR and LN, respectively. Based on the uses of rose oil for cosmetics, medicine, and/or therapeutic processes, the specific ecotype with distinct oil profile can be proposed.