Exploration of the possibility of combined HS-GC-MS and 13C NMR spectroscopic investigation of the composition of the essential oils of selected sage (Salvia) species

The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of combining headspace gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (HS-GC-MS) and 13C NMR spectroscopy to enhance the detectability of components of the essential oils of medicinal plants of the Salvia genus. Preliminary investigations were performed with two sage species, Salvia lavandulifolia and Salvia triloba, known for particularly abundant yields of their respective essential oils. By use of HS-GC-MS, characteristic fingerprints of the volatile fractions were obtained for plant species from two different vegetation seasons (2007 and 2008). Partial identification of the components of these volatile fractions was performed, and comparison of the chromatographic fingerprints confirmed seasonal fingerprint similarity within the same species. Preliminary 13C NMR measurements resulted in well shaped spectra with an abundance of regularly distributed signals. This suggested the possibility of using 13C NMR spectroscopy in phytochemical research, in parallel with HS-GC-MS, to enhance the detectability of volatile components of plant species belonging to this genus.