Essential oil analysis of helichrysum italicum (ROTH) G.Don cultivated in Turkey

The Helichrysum genus is a large genus belonging to the Asteraceae family. It includes about 600 species spread all over the world, mainly in Italy, France and North Africa. Essential oils of this genus are widely used in phytotherapy, aromatherapy and perfumery. Since ancient times, extracts and essential oils from the H. italicum (Roth) G.Don have been used in traditional medicine. Essential oil extracted from aerial parts, used as an antimicrobial, antiproliferative, antiinflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant, and also for the healing of scars and for insecticide purpose. In this study; it is aimed to carry out the essential oil analysis of H. italicum species which does not grow naturally in our country but is cultivated for commercial purposes. Thus, it is aimed to determine whether the essential oil of this cultivated plant can be used in treatment or cosmetics. In our experimental study, essential oil was obtained from the H. italicum, cultivated in Tekirler Village of Nallıhan district of Ankara province, by hydrodistillation method. Essential oil analysis was performed with GC/MS technique and 87.5% of the oil composition was identified. The main compounds of essential oil in the analysis process; neryl acetate 12.9%, ar-curcumene 12.1%, β-selinene 11.1%, β-caryophyllene 7.5%, α-selinene 6.3% and italicene 5.1%. As a result, it has been determined that H. italicum essential oil cultured in Turkey has similarities with H. italicum essential oil grown in other countries in terms of its main compounds relationships. According to the results of study, H. italicum essential oil cultivated in our country is of a quality that can be used for medicinal purposes.