S06 - Session P3 - Time dependent metabolic profiling of rosmarinic acid and volatile compounds in selected plants of family Lamiaceae

Authors: Dahye Ryu *, JwaYeong Cho, HoYoun Kim, ChuWon Nho

The family Lamiaceae is widely used to produce essential oils, although the best time for harvesting the plants to achieve the highest functionality is unknown. In this study, we assessed the desirable harvest time for Korean mint (AR), lemon balm (MO), opal basil (OBP), and sage (SO), which are members of the family Lamiaceae, to produce a strong fragrance and high levels of secondary metabolites. In regard to metabolite content, a dramatic change occurred between 60 and 70 DAS. Therefore, we considered the young stage before 60 days after sowing (DAS) and the old stage after 60 DAS. These plants contained characteristic fragrance compounds (AR: estragole, MO: geranial, OBP: methyleugenol, and SO: (Z)-thujone). The total volatile organic compound content showed high concentrations at a young stage. Whereas the total phenolics, rosmarinic acid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ABTS radical scavenging activity were highest in the old stages. Therefore, sampling between 60 and 70 DAS is the appropriate harvesting time to achieve high VOCs and rosmarinic acid in the studied plants.