Production of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) in Norway: Essential oil content and quality

In 1996, the production of Achillea millefolium L. at different locations in Norway was investigated with regard to the developmental stage. The oil content differed greatly between the vegetative stage (0.13%) and the stage of full bloom (0.34%). Changes in the composition of yarrow essential oil were found to be related to maturation of the plant, with increasing amounts of monoterpenes in relation to the sesquiterpene. However, a clear trend could be detected only for the monoterpenic compounds with increasing levels of alpha- and beta-pinene and alpha-thujone and decreasing levels of sabinene, borneol, and bornyl acetate. Previously reported as major compounds, chamazulene and germacrene D could be found only in insignificant amounts. A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) procedure was applied for screening of the terpenic composition. Sesquiterpenic compounds such as beta-bisabolene, alpha-bisabolol, and delta-cadinene were detected in substantial amounts by SPME in contrast to the steam-distilled samples.