Lavenders (Lavandula) are widely grown for their essential oils, which have extensive applications in cosmetics, hygiene products and alternative medicine. The therapeutic and olfactory properties of lavender essential oils are attributed to monoterpenes, a class of low molecular weight (C₁₀) isoprenoids. Oil composition in these plants is primarily determined by plant genotype, but can also be influenced by developmental and environmental factors. In order to define some of the mechanisms that control monoterpene abundance in lavenders, I measured the abundance of quality-defining monoterpenes in several L. angustifolia and L. x intermedia cultivars grown in the Okanagan. Data obtained confirmed that essential oil yield, as well as the abundance of camphor, borneol, linalool, and limonene was species-specific. L. angustifolia cultivars contained high amounts of linalool but yielded little oil, whereas L. x intermedia cultivars were rich in camphor and total oil. Monoterpene abundance changed during flower development, and differed between vegetative and reproductive tissues indicating differential regulation of the biosynthetic pathways, or specialized ecological functions. The abundance of linalool correlated with the transcription of the linalool synthase gene, suggesting that linalool production is in part regulated transcriptionally. However, the degree of correlation between linalool abundance and linalool synthase transcription differed between L. angustifolia and L. x intermedia, suggesting additional, and differing mechanisms that control linalool abundance in these species. In addition, monoterpene abundances were subject to loss during storage and suboptimal detection, two factors that must be considered in future analyses. Results obtained in this study provide insight into the regulation of monoterpene production in lavenders, and build the basis for future research aimed at improving essential oil production in these plants. / Graduate Studies, College of (Okanagan) / Graduate

Lavender is an important medicinal plant that is sensitive to various environmental factors. Lavender essential oils have been shown to improve human health in response to many diseases. Lavender is grown all over the world, which indicates its ability to adapt to different climates. There are no reports of its commercial cultivation in Mississippi. It has been proven that there are many factors that directly affect the plant growth and concentration of essential oils in lavender. Studying these factors that affect plant growth and essential oils will be beneficial for lavender producers. The aim of this study is to increase the production of essential oil through cultural techniques and analyze the active compounds of three Lavandula species (L. intermedia, L. angustifolia, L. stoechas) using HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography, Mass spectrometer) technology. Applications of gibberellic acid, iron chelate, Mycorrhizae, humic acid, DAP, and potash fertilizer were studied to promote plant growth and production of essential oils. The essential oils were extracted using a Soxhlet distillation. The quantity and quality of the essential oils was also evaluated using HPLC and GC-MS. The linalool, linalyl acetate, and other compounds from Lavandula may be considered natural raw material source for pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products. These vital components of the essential oil of lavender leaves, flowers, and stems (linalool, linalyl, and other compounds) were affected by chelated iron treatments, gibberellin, humic acid, and mycorrhizae. The essential oil compounds of L. angustifolia and L. x intermedia cultivars make them worth cultivating.

Title: Influence of defined olfactory stimuli to selected physiological parameters Objectives: Comparing the effect of inhibiting and stimulating scents on the chosen physiological parameters during a 20 minute long inhalation. The thesis is searching for the possible affections to cardiovascular system and to reactibility of the neuromuscular system of the aromatherapy. Methods: 10 individuals participated on the trial, 5 females and 5 male. As the inhibiting scent we chose essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia and as the stimulating scent Rosmarinus officinalis. The observed physiological parameters was heart rate, blood pressure, present emotional state using the Visual Analogue Mood Scale by Stern, results of the Petries' test and standing on two scales test. The chosen application form of the essential oils was inhalation. The observed parameters were recorded before the application of scents, in the 10th and 20th minute of the application and 20 minutes after the end of application. We used the method of comparison. With statistical analysis we compared the results of the mentioned tests and diagnostic methods before and after application each of the odors. Results: We consider that Lavandula angustifolia and Rosmarinus officinalis have statistically significant effect to cardiovascular...