VARIATION OF ESSENTIAL OIL COMPOSITION OF Myrtus communis (MYRTACEAE) FROM MONTENGERO

SUMMARY This study describes the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the essential oil species Myrtus communis L. from many different locations. The plant samples were collected from six locations of the Montenegrin coast (Ulcinj, Bar, Budva, Tivat, Kotor, and Herceg Novi). The quantity of the myrtle essential oil for samples from the locations Ulcinj (0.72%) and Herceg Novi (0.8%) are in accordance with the data from the literature (Boelens and Jimenez 1992; Bradesi et al., 1997), while the derived quantities for different locations are notably below previously mentioned values (0.4-0.53%). The analysis of the essential oil from six locations was completed with the help of GC-MS. By analysing results of the chemical composition of the myrtle essential oil from six different locations of the Montenegrin coast, we are able to come to conclusion that there are no main differences in qualitative composition. The main differences were found in the content of Myrtenyl acetate and α-Pinene. Regarding the content of these two compounds, the sample from the southernmost location of the Montenegrin coast (Ulcinj) is expressed most, and it can be classified into distinct chemotype with a high content of Myrtenyl acetate (21.64%) and a small content of α-Pinene (14.67%). The sample from the location Budva is distinctive for somewhat smaller content of Myrtenyl acetate (2.66%). The components from the class of oxidized monoterpenes are dominant in all samples: 1,8 – cineole (18.81-25.68%), linalool (10.05-16.13%), Myrtenyl acetate (2.6621.64%), and from the class of monoterpene hydrocarbons, it is the α-Pinene that stands out as quantitatively the most common component (14.67-36.77%).