Influence of Cultivation Conditions and Processing Technologies on the Composition and Quality of Origanum Vulgare L. Essential Oil: a systematic review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15330/jpnubio.12.160-167

Keywords:

Origanum vulgare L., planting density, phenological stage, adaptation, plant introduction, acclimatization

Abstract

This review synthesizes research from 2010–2025 regarding factors influencing the yield, chemical composition, and industrial value of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil. By analyzing data from major scientific databases, the study evaluates agronomic practices, genetic variability, and post-harvest methods. Results indicate that cultivation factors, including irrigation, fertilization, and substrate quality, strongly modulate oil biosynthesis. Phenological stage is crucial, with full flowering maximizing biomass and oil yield, while genetic chemotypes (carvacrol vs. thymol) determine chemical profiles. Furthermore, effective post-harvest techniques, such as shade or microwave drying, are vital for preserving bioactive properties for pharmaceutical and food applications. Despite extensive research, the review identifies gaps regarding integrated cultivation strategies and data specific to temperate climates. Inconsistent processing protocols further complicate standardization. Consequently, the authors advocate for a holistic production approach—integrating optimized agronomy, genetic selection, and standardized post-harvest methods—to ensure high-quality, chemically stable essential oils for industrial use.

References

Aytaç Z, Gülbandılar A, Kürkçüoğlu M (2022) Humic acid improves plant yield, antimicrobial activity and essential oil composition of Oregano (Origanum vulgare L. subsp. hirtum). Agronomy 12(9):2086. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092086

Azazi A, Yan F, Honermeier B (2009) Herbage yield, essential oil content and composition of three oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) populations as affected by soil moisture regimes and nitrogen supply. Industrial Crops and Products 29(2-3):554-561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2008.11.001

Azimzadeh Z, Hassani A, Abdollahi MB, Sepehr E (2021) Effects of salinity stress on some morpho-physiological characteristics, essential oil content, and ion relations of two oregano subspecies (Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare & ssp. Gracile. Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research 37(4). https://doi.org/10.22092/IJMAPR.2021.354240.2978

Azimzadeh Z, Hassani A, Mandoulakani BA, Shokrpour M (2022) Intraspecific divergence in essential oil content, composition and genes expression patterns of monoterpene synthesis in Origanum vulgare subsp. vulgare and subsp. gracile under salinity stress. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants 28(1):167–181. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-021-01119-z

Bosabalidis AM (2002) Structural features of Origanum species. CRC Press. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/b12591-8/structural-features-origanum-sp-artemios-bosabalidis

Chishti S, Kaloo ZA and Sultan P (2013) Medicinal Importance of Genus Origanum: A Review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy 5, 170-177. https://doi.org/10.5897/JPP2013.0285

D'Antuono LF, Galletti GC, Bocchini P (2000) Essential oil content and composition of Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum of different origin. Annals of Botany 86(3):471–478. https://doi.org/10.1006/anbo.2000.1205

De Falco E, Mancini E, Roscigno G, Mignola E, Taglialatela-Scafati O, Senatore F (2013) Metabolite profiling and essential oil composition of Origanum vulgare L. subsp. hirtum growing under different light conditions. Molecules. 18(12)14948-14960. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules181214948

Figueiredo AC, Barroso JG, Pedro LG, Scheffer JC (2008) Factors influencing secondary metabolite production in plants: volatile components and essential oils. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. 23(4):213 – 226. https://doi.org/10.1002/ffj.1875

Gerami F, Moghaddam PR, Ghorbani R, Hassani A (2016) Effects of irrigation intervals and organic manure on morphological traits, essential oil content and yield of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) An Acad Bras Cienc 88(4):2375-2385. https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201620160208

Giannoulis KD (2020). The effect of Organic fertilizers and Biostimulants on Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Yield and Essential Oil. Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies in Agriculture, Food and Environment.

https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2761/HAICTA_2020_paper85.pdf

Lukas B, Schmiderer C, Novak J (2015) Oscillating diversification patterns in Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae). Frontiers in Plant Science. Phytochemistry. 119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.09.008

Matłok N, Stępień AE (2020) Effects of Organic and Mineral Fertilization on Yield and Selected Quality Parameters for Dried Herbs of Two Varieties of Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) Appl. Sci. 10(16)5503. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10165503

Morshedloo MR, Mumivand H, Craker LE, Maggi F (2017) Evaluation of essential oil composition and some morphological traits of three Origanum vulgare L. subspecies under water stress. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.13516

Morshedloo MR, Salami SA, Nezera V, Maggi F (2018) Essential oil yield and composition of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) populations under different growing conditions. Industrial Crops and Products. 119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.03.049

Ninou E, Cook CM, Papathanasiou F, Aschonitis V, Avdikos I, Tsivelikas AL, Stefanou S, Ralli P, Mylonas I (2021) Nitrogen Effects on the Essential Oil and Biomass Production of Field Grown Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) Populations. Agronomy 11(9)1722.

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11091722

Sarrou E, Tsivelika N, Chatzopoulou P, Tsakalidis G (2017) Conventional breeding of Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum) and development of improved cultivars for yield potential and essential oil quality. Euphytica 5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-017-1889-1

Shabankareh HG, Asgharipour MR, Sardoei AS, Shabankareh FG (2025) Melatonin-mediated regulation of growth, physiological, biochemical, and essential oil constituents alleviates drought stress in oregano (Origanum vulgare L.). Creative commons 4. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7816838/v1

Stefanaki A, Cook CM, Lanaras T, Kokkini S (2016) The Oregano plants of Chios Island (Greece): Essential oils of Origanum onites L. growing wild in different habitats. Ind. Crops Prod. 82:107-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2015.11.086

Tuttolomondo T, Martinelli F, Mariotti L, Leto C (2015) Agronomic, metabolomic and lipidomic characterisation of Sicilian Origanum vulgare (L.) ecotypes. Natural Product Research 30(9):1-5. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2015.1104672

Downloads

Published

2025-12-15

How to Cite

Mylenka, M., Gniezdilova, V., Kozak, I., & Riznychuk, N. (2025). Influence of Cultivation Conditions and Processing Technologies on the Composition and Quality of Origanum Vulgare L. Essential Oil: a systematic review. Journal of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University. Biology, 12, 160–167. https://doi.org/10.15330/jpnubio.12.160-167

Issue

Section

Review articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

1 2 3 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.