Habitat Effect on the Essential Oils, Phenolics and Flavonoids of the Medicinal Weed Apium graveolens L.

Abstract

The present study aims to determine the relationship between soil chemical characteristics and the yield, qualitative and quantitative composition of the essential oils, as well as, phenolic and flavonoid content of the Apium graveolens L. (Apiaceae) aerial parts and fruits. Field study indicated that Apium graveolens L. is widely distributed in the Nile Delta coast namely, sandy fertile cultivated lands, banks of irrigation canals, Orchards, reclaimed lands and waste land. Soil analysis indicated that A. graveolens L. grow in a wide range of soil variables such as conductivity, calcium carbonates, organic carbon, chlorides and potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium cations. The volatile constituents were analyzed by GC/MS. The detected compounds were identified by their retention times and mass spectral data, as well as comparison with published data or with reference compounds and mass spectrometric libraries of REPLIB and MAINLIB. Significant differences in the proportion of volatile constituents from oils of different habitat were detected. Besides, the phenolic and flavonoid content of the aerial parts and fruits varied widely according to habitat type. Hence, great attention must be paid to the type of soil and cropping strategies, to obtain satisfactory yields of high quality products, respecting their safety and medicinal value.