Abstract
The essential oils of fruit of Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum (Apiaceae) growing wild in South Anatolia were extracted by hydrodistillation, and analysed by GC and GC-MS. The percentage yields of the essential oils from fruits of bitter fennel harvested in different heights were 2.66 %, 2.0 % and 1.66 %, respectively. The major constituents varied depending on harvest years. The major constituents of bitter fennel fruit were methyl chavicol (estragol), fenchone and limonene. Methyl chavicol contents of oil changed between 50.2 % (600 m height) to 69.2 % (1600 m height). Fenchone contents of samples varied between 6.5 % and 32.8 %. The highest fenchone content was established at the level of 600 m height. While limonene contents of oil were found as 7.1 % and 8.2 % for 600 m and 1600 m heights, respectively, it was determined as 0.37 % for sea level.