Effects of edaphoclimatic conditions on Thymus hyemalis L. essential oil yield and composition

Thymus hyemalis Lange shrubs were grown in two different cultivation areas of the region of Murcia (southeast Spain) in order to determine how edaphoclimatic conditions affect the essential oil Yield and chemical composition of this thyme species. Results showed that no statistically significant differences were detected among essential oil yields. However, chromatographic analysis of the oils by GC and GUMS reported that, from a total of 101 volatile components identified, statistically significant differences among concentrations of several volatile components existed. At the qualitative level, oils from La Paca cultivation area (690 in above sea level) showed a volatile profile rich in low molecular weight components and phenolic compounds when compared to those obtained from Torre Blanca cultivation area (30 in above sea level).