An α-Pinene Chemotype in Salvia offcinalis L. (Lamiaceae)

Abstract Sage plants (Salvia offcinalis) were self-pollinated for three consecutive generations. The essential oil composition of 70 plants of the third generation, originating from four different mother plants, was analyzed. The content of α-pinene showed higher variation than all other compounds. The plants segregated into three distinct groups regarding the content of α-pinene: a low-level group around 2% α-pinene, a mid-level group around 9% and a high level group around 15%. This clear segregation into three groups proves the polymorphism (chemotype formation) of α-pinene in sage. Furthermore, the enantiomeric composition of α-pinene shifted from 35:65 [(−)-α-pinene:(+)- α-pinene] in the low level to 15:85 in the mid- and high level.