Similarities and differences of chemical profile for Rosmarinus officinalis plants when different extraction techniques were used

The essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis L. was analyzed from a cultivated population in the Durres area using three different extraction techniques: hydro-distillation with a Clevenger apparatus (HD), Soxhlet extraction (SE) and headspace technique by PDMS fiber (HS-SPME).Rosmarinus officinalis can be found easy (naturally and cultivated) in all Albanian territories.It is very popular in Albania for culinary, traditional medicine, and as an ornamental plant.The samples of Rosmarinus officinalis (branches and leaves) were collected different stations of Lalez Bay (Durres area), in May 2025.The air-dried samples were subjected to extraction processes by Clevenger and Soxhlet apparatuses as well as the HS-SPME technique.The chemical compositions of the extracts obtained using all methods were determined by GC/FID technique.The chemical profiles of Rosmarinus offcinalis obtained using the two methods were almost identical.Oxygenated monoterpenes were found in higher percentages in all samples.Cineole, alfa-pinene, caphour and verbenone were found at higher level.Some differences were observed between the extraction techniques.HD and HS-SPME techniques showed a higher number of isolated compounds, while SE showed a lower number of compounds, but in some cases, a higher percentage for some individuals.Although all these techniques can be used to investigate the chemical profile of aromatic and medicinal plants, the use of HD and/or HS-SPME is suggested as they provide a clear and more complete chemical profile of plants compared to SE.Chemical profile of Rosmarinus officinalis samples from the Durres area, was similar to that reported in other reported studies from the Balkan and Mediterranean areas.