article · Molecules
Yassine Ez zoubiRosemary essential oil production depends heavily on the harvesting period and specific harvesting cooperative. An evaluation of Salvia rosmarinus samples across three cooperatives in the Oriental region of Morocco from January 2018 to April 2019 revealed significant seasonal variations in both yield and chemical composition. The highest essential oil yield occurred in April 2019. Multivariate analysis distinguished summer harvests, which delivered higher oil yields rich in 1,8-cineole, from winter harvests, which produced lower yields dominated by alpha-pinene. Testing against various bacterial strains demonstrated that the essential oils possess measurable antibacterial activity. Mycobacterium smegmatis and Bacillus subtilis proved most sensitive to the oils, while Escherichia coli showed the lowest susceptibility. These findings establish optimal harvesting times to maximise oil yields and target specific chemical profiles for regional exploitation.
Producers of botanical extracts need reliable methods to optimise both oil yield and target chemical compounds. Showing how seasonal timing and local cooperative practices determine the chemical profile of rosemary oil allows producers to plan harvests strategically. This supports more predictable, sustainable natural resource management and helps local agricultural cooperatives maximise the economic value of their crops.
This research provides applied guidance for agricultural cooperatives and commercial extractors seeking to maximise yields of specific rosemary chemotypes, such as 1,8-cineole or alpha-pinene, for industrial or antibacterial applications. The work demonstrates immediate operational relevance for regional harvesting schedules, placing the harvesting insights near market adoption for local growers, while the development of specific antibacterial end products remains at an early testing stage.
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To ensure the better production and sustainable management of natural resources, a chemometric investigation was conducted to examine the effect of cooperative and harvesting periods on the crop yields and chemical compositions of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn essential oils in the Oriental region of Morocco. The samples were collected from three cooperatives over nine time periods from January 2018 to April 2019. The chemical composition of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn essential oils was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The data from this study were processed by multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The disc diffusion technique and a determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration were performed to study the antibacterial properties of the oils. Statistical analysis showed that the cooperative and harvest period have a significant effect on yields. The highest yield of essential oil was recorded in April 2019 at cooperative C1. The PCA and the HCA results were divided into two groups: Group A for the summer season and group B for the winter season. The samples collected during summer were characterized by a high amount of 1,8-cineole component and a high yield of essential oil, whereas the samples collected during winter were qualified by a high amount of α-pinene component and a low yield of essential oil. The antibacterial activity of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn essential oils showed that Mycobacterium smegmatis ATCC23857 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 23857 are the most susceptible strains, stopping growth at 1/500 (v/v). The least susceptible strain is Escherichia coli ATCC25922, with an MIC value corresponding to 1/250 (v/v). The findings of this study could have a positive economic impact on the exploitation of rosemary in the Oriental region, especially during the best harvest periods, as they indicate how to obtain the best yields of oils richest in 1,8-cineole and α-pinene chemotypes.
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DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092914
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