Ioanna Fitsiou, Olga Tzakou*, Monica Hancianu and Antonia Poiata

Abstract: The essential oils of bracts and inflorescences of cultivated Tilia tomentosa and T. cordata from Greece and Romania, respectively, were investigated. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistilation and analyzed using GC and GC/MS. The oils of from the inflorescences of T. tomentosa and T. cordata were characterized by a high percentage of hydrocarbons (32.3% and 60.4%, respectively) with tricosane being the main component (21.5% and 31.3%). Isocyclocitral (15.3%) and hotrienol (11.5%) were characterized as the main oxygenated monoterpenes of T. tomentosa and T. cordata inflorescences oils, respectively. Linalool (13.1%) and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (17.7%) were the major constituents in bract oil of T. tomentosa, whereas the bract oil of T. cordata was characterized by the predominance of hydrocarbons (87.4%) with tricosane (32.2%) being the main constituent.

The genus Tilia L. of the Tiliaceae family comprises 45 species, six of which are represented in Europe (1). All European species are interfertile, and natural hybrids are common, especially in S.E. and E.C. Europe. They have often described as species, varieties or forms, and many of them are extensively planted in parks and gardens. Tilia species are deciduous trees with simple alternate leaves and fragrant flowers (2). The dried inflorescences of linden or lime tree (T. cordata and/or T. platyphyllos) are widely used traditionally as herbal tea. The Commission E approved linden flower for colds and cold-related coughs (3). The British Herbal Compendium indicates its use for upper respiratory catarrh, common colds, irritable coughs, hypertension and restlessness (4). The volatile constituents of Tilia species have been the subject of several studies (5-10). The inhibitory effect of linden flower (mainly T. tomentosa) and its alcohol extract on the growth of food born pathogens has been examined (11). The antioxidant and anti-microbial activity of the water extract of T. argentea has been reported; the extract showed no antimicrobial activity (12). In this paper, the composition of the essential oils of the bracts and the inflorescences of T. tomentosa Moench cultivated in Greece and their antimicrobial activity are presented, as well as those of T. cordata Miller cultivated in Romania.