Influence of harvesting time on the composition of volatile components in different anatomical parts of lovage (Levisticum officinale Koch.)

The essential oils from different botanical parts (leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds) of lovage (Levisticum officinale Koch.) were analyzed at various phases of plant growth. The seasonal changes in leaves were less considerable than in the stems. Seeds and flowers possessed the highest yield of oil. alpha-Terpinyl acetate was found to be the dominating compound in leaves and stems (up to 70%), beta-phellandrene in seeds and flowers (61.50% and 40.80%, respectively); Z-ligustilide was confirmed as a major lovage phthalide constituting from 4.40% to 11.70% in leaves and from 4.80% to 13.80% in the stem's essential oils depending on the harvesting time.