Modification of light intensity influence essential oils content, composition and antioxidant activity of thyme, marjoram and oregano

Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme), Origanum majorana L. (marjoram), and Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) were used to determine whether light modification (plants grown under nets with 40% shaded index or in un-shaded open field) could improve the quantity and quality of essential oils (EOs) and antioxidant activity. The yield of EOs of thyme, marjoram, and oregano obtained after 120 min of hydrodistillation was 2.32, 1.51, and 0.27 mL/100 g of plant material, respectively. At the same time under shading conditions plants synthetized more EOs (2.57, 1.68, and 0.32 mL/100 g of plant material). GC/MS and GC/FID analyses were applied for essential oils determinations. The main components of the thyme essential oil are thymol (8.05–9.35%); γ-terpinene (3.49–4.04%); p-cymene (2.80–3.60%) and caryophyllene oxide (1.54–2.15%). Marjoram main components were terpinene 4-ol (7.44–7.63%), γ-terpinene (2.82–2.86%) and linalool (2.04–2.65%) while oregano essential oil consisted of the following components: caryophyllene oxide (3.1–1.93%); germacrene D (1.17–2.0%) and (E)-caryophyllene (1.48–1.1%). The essential oil from thyme grown under shading (EC(50) value after 20 min of incubation) have shown the highest antioxidant activity – 0.85 mg mL(−1) in comparison to marjoram and oregano (shaded plants EC(50) 19.97 mg mL(−1) and 7.02 mg mL(−1) and unshaded, control plants EC(50) 54.01 mg mL(−1) and 7.45 mg mL(−1), respectively). The medicinal plants are a good source of natural antioxidants with potential application in the food and pharmaceutical industries. For production practice, it can be recommended to grow medicinal plants in shading conditions to achieve optimal quality parameters.