قسم تكنولوجيا المعلومات-كلية تكنولوجيا المعلومات والاتصالات-جامعة طرطوس الحكومية-طرطوس-سوريا

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of altitude on the essential oil content and active compounds of Myrtus communis L. from three areas in Lattakia: Al-Haffah (310 m), Ain Beida (230 m), and Al-Hanadi (250 m). Leaves from wild and cultivated plants were shade-dried and hydrodistilled using a Clevenger apparatus. Wild plants showed higher oil content (up to 3.32% in Al-Haffah) compared to cultivated ones (1.14–1.82%).GC–MS analysis revealed clear chemical differences: wild oil was richer in Humulene (72.93%) and terpinen-4-ol (72.44%), while propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, isobutyl ester was more abundant in cultivated oil (73.96%). Wild oil also contained unique compounds absent in cultivated samples, reflecting higher chemical diversity.Soil analysis indicated that Al-Hanadi had the highest organic matter and potassium, while Ain Beida was richer in calcium. Phenols and total sugars showed slight, non-significant differences. These results highlight the influence of environmental and geographical factors on the yield and quality of Myrtus communis essential oil.