Zeki Aytaç

Composition of the essential oils of Zosima absinthifolia (Vent.) Link and Ferula elaeochytris Korovin from Turkey

The hydrodistilled essential oils from dried fruits of Zosima absinthifolia and Ferula elaeochytris were analysed by GC – MS. Sixteen components, representing 95.8% of the oil in Zosima absinthifolia, and 43 components, making up 76.7% of the oil of Ferula elaeochytris, were characterized. The major components were octyl acetate (38.4%) and octyl hexanoate (31.9%) in the former oil; and nonane (27.1%), α-pinene (12.7%) and germacrene B (10.3%) in the latter. Copyright

Patterns of essential oil relationships in Pimpinella (Umbelliferae) based on phylogenetic relationships using nuclear and chloroplast sequences

Hydro-distilled essential oils from fruits, aerial parts (without fruits) and roots of Pimpinella species native to Turkey and their phylogenetic relationships to one another were examined. Phytochemical investigation of the essential oils of 19 species resulted in isolation of 16 phenylpropanoids, four sesquiterpenes and two azulene-type norsesquiterpenes. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined primarily from 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments as well as liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Phylogenetic relationships among 26 species were evaluated using ITS 1, ITS 4 nuclear rDNA and psbA-trnH cpDNA sequences. In this study, significance and occurrence of phenylpropanoids, azulenes and geijerenes are discussed from a phylogenetic, chemical and biosynthetic perspective. The distribution of different classes of compounds and their putative associations with one another as per current knowledge of their biosynthetic pathways indicates that this information, in conjunction with the phylogeny, could provide valuable information regarding the presence and perhaps evolution of the different classes of compounds. Analysis of the phenylpropanoid components indicates that ( E )-anethole is an obligatory intermediate of this pathway. The various Pimpinella species differ primarily in their ability to acylate anethole, suggesting that while the pathway leading to anethole is common to this genus, species differ in their enzymatic machinery leading to acylate. The relationship between azulenes and geijerenes is not as intuitive, but all Pimpinella species analysed in this study have the biochemical machinery required to synthesize these chemical classes.

Composition of the Essential Oil of Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl.

ABSTRACT Water-distilled essential oils from whole and crushed fruits of Prangos ferulacea were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-three compounds were identified representing 85.32% to 93.83% of the oils. Crushed and whole fruits yielded oils rich in γ-terpinene (30.22% and 33.27%) and α-pinene (16.71% and 12.83%), respectively. Germacrene B (30.30%) and γ-terpinene (17.17%) were the major constituents in the oil obtained by redistilling the already distilled whole fruits after crushing.

ESSENTIAL OIL OF SALVIA AYTACHII M. VURAL ET N. ADIGUZEL

Abstract Water-distilled essential oil of Salvia aytachii, a recently described Turkish endemic, was analyzed by GC/MS. Fifty-eight compounds were characterized representing 98.41% of the oil, with camphor (30.78%) and 1,8-cineole (27.28%) as major constitutents.

Seed morphology and its systematic implications for genus Astragalus L. sections Onobrychoidei DC., Uliginosi Gray and Ornithopodium Bunge (Fabaceae)

Forty-eight species of Astragalus L. sections Onobrychoidei DC., Uliginosi Gray and Ornithopodium Bunge (Fabaceae) in Turkey were studied in order to describe and investigate their seed morphologies and to evaluate the diagnostic value of this character using a stereoscopic microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM pictures of seeds were taken as a whole and in detail. The systematic implications of the findings are discussed. Six main seed types were observed. A key to identifying the different seed types is provided.

Karyomorphological studies on section Bucerates Boiss. of Trigonella L. (Leguminosae) from Turkey

Abstract The Karyomorphology of all taxa of section Bucerates Boiss. genus Trigonella L. (Leguminosae) were made using Image Analysis System. The chromosome numbers of 14 taxa of Trigonella (2n = 16), T. fischeriana Ser. and T. monantha C.A.Meyer subsp. noeana (Boiss.) Hub.-Mor. (2n = 14), T. monantha C.A.Meyer subsp. monantha Verz. (2n = 16, 28, 30) and T. orthoceras Kar. & Kir. (2n = 16, 46) were counted. B chromosomes were observed on T. arcuata C.A.Meyer. and there were two chromosomes with a satellite in T. crassipes Boiss. In the section Bucerates, 12 taxa of Trigonella showed tetraploidy, with 2n = 32 and two taxa of Trigonella had hexaploidy (2n = 48). The range of chromosome length ranged from 3.26 μm to 0.56 μm. Whereas T. orthoceras had the longest chromosome length, T. monantha subsp. monantha had shortest.

Essential Oil of Seseli campestre Besser

Abstract Crushed fruits and herbal parts of Seseli campestre were separately subjected to hydrodistillation. The oils were analyzed by GC/MS. Ninety seven compounds representing 95% of the oil were identified in the fruit oil whereas one hundred and two compounds making up of 96% of the oil were characterized in the oil obtained from aerial parts. α-Pinene (26.2% and 35-8%) and (E)-sesquilavandulol (11.8% and 3.2%) were the main constituents in the fruit and herb oils, respectively.

Composition of the Essential Oil of Teucrium antitauricum T.Ekim

Abstract The water distilled essential oil from the herbal parts of Teucrium antitauricum, endemic in Turkey, was analyzed by GC/MS. Fifty one compounds were identified representing 97% of the oil with germacrene D (28.2%), and β-caryophyllene (27.6%) as major constituents.

Comparative seed morphology of Trigonella L. species (Leguminosae) in Turkey

Seeds morphology of 37 taxa of Trigonella L. from various regions in Turkey were examined with a scanning electron microscope and light microscope. Based on seed features such as shape, colour and surface ornamentation pattern, 7 morphological types were recognized. Type I have scabrated seed surface and this is only observed in section Samaroideae, Type II have verrucated seed surface, Type III have rugulated seed surface and a further classification has been made on the basis of vart, as those rugulate-verrucate (Trigonella lunata in section Lunatae, Trigonella isthmocarpa and Trigonella rhytidocarpa in section Isthmocarpae and Trigonella gladiata in section Foenum-graecum) and granule as those rugulate-granulate (only Trigonella carica in section Bucerates). Type IV is show ruminated seed surface. Type V have aculeated seed surface. This ornamentation are observed in section Cylindricae, section Reflexae and section Biebersteinionae and Section Cylindricae. Type VI are the ones with ridged-tuberculated-verrucated seed surface and this type has been observed in the section Bucerates, Reflexae, Uncinatae and some species of Foenum-graecum. Type VII have tuberculated seed surface and this is only observed in section Capitata. The different seed types are described, illustrated compared and their taxonomic importance is discussed. The seed surface ornamentations of taxa shows considerable variations. This character have importance in systematic discrimination of taxa. Key words: Trigonella, Fabaceae, seed morphology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), light microscopy (LM), Turkey.

Composition of the Essential Oil of Achillea goniocephala Boiss. et Bal. from Turkey

Abstract Water-distilled essential oil of the dried flowering herbal parts of Achillea goniocephala, endemic to Turkey, was analyzed by GC/MS. Seventy three components making up 98.1% of the oil were characterized with camphor (32.6%) and 1,8-cineole (23.2%) as major constituents.