Seasonal variation in lemon (Citrus limon L. Burm. f) leaf and rind oil composition

Volatile leaf oils of the Lupe strain of Lisbon lemon were analyzed by GC at monthly intervals from April 1993 through April 1994, respectively. Forty-seven lemon leaf oil components were identified try GC and GC-MS. In the leaf oils, the monoterpene limonene was the largest component (29-38%) followed by geranial (10-14%), beta -pinene (9-18%), neral(5-10%), nerol(1-13%), sabinene (4-6%), geraniol (1-6%), and beta -caryophyllene (2-4%). Monoterpenes were present at a higher percentage than the sesquiterpenes. It was found that the yield and composition of the volatile oils changed significantly during ripening. Plant to plant variation was in most cases statistically nonsignificant. Highest oil yields (370 md/100g fw) were observed from leaves sampled in the month of December. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were higher in the beginning of the season and then decreased with time. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were less abundant in the beginning, but gradually increased during ripening.