Comparison of volatile oil compositions of five Narcissus (Narcissus tazetta L.) varieties extracted

Narcissus is one of the most important ornamental and medicinal plants, whose oil is widely used in the cosmetic, sanitary, and perfume industries. Khuzestan province, especially Behbahan district, is one of the most important Narcissus production centers in Iran. This research was conducted to evaluate and compare the volatile oil components of five Narcissus varieties (Shahla, Meskinack, Panjegorbai, Porpar, and Golsefied) which are commercially grown in Khuzestan Province. Enfleurage and head space solid-phase micro extraction methods were used for extraction. The fresh flowers of Narcissus were harvested and immediately transferred to the laboratory; the volatile oil was extracted by the enfleurage method. The components were analyzed by GC-MS and then the results were also compared against the headspace solid-phase micro extraction method. Trans-β-ocimene, benzyl acetate, linalool, 1.8-cineole, and 2-Phenyl ethyl acetate were the most common constituents which were identified in different varieties of Narcissus from both methods of extraction. According to the results of GC-MS, trans-β-ocimene was the dominant compound of the HS-SPME method while benzyl acetate was the dominant compound of the enfleurage method. The diverse varieties of Narcissus contain different components, therefore more research studies are recommended.