The phytochemical response of Melissa officinalis L to foliar application of hydro-alcoholic solutions (methanol and ethanol)

Introduction & Aim: The aim of this study was evaluating effect of methanol and ethanol foliar application as a new and safe technology in plant production on lemon balm’s (Melissa officinalis L.) volatile oil components. Experimental: Experimental carried out based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with fifteen treatments and three replications in the experimental field of medicinal plants institute (ACECR) in Haljerd in the Alborz province at 2010. The treatments of this study including: control, control distilled water, aqueous ethanol solutions with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% (v/v), aqueous methanol solutions with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% (v/v) and ethanol-methanol equal mixtures with 5, 15 and 25% (v/v). In this study, phytochemical characters by GC-MS were evaluated. Results & Discussion: The results were indicated that spraying of ethanol and methanol on phytochemical characters have significant difference (p<0.01). The most of biosynthesis of β-caryophyllene, neral, geranial, caryophyllene oxide, Δ-cadinene, Δ-cadinol, citronellal, germacrene-B and geranyl acetate were affected by methanol 50% solution. Industrial and practical Recommendations: The results showed that spraying with methanol 50% was the best treatment for increasing of volatile oil components of Melissa officinalis L. in Karaj conditions.