Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1
Room 10, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, University Blvd., 45371-38791, Zanjan, I. R. Iran
2
(Departement of Agronomy Science in Research Institue of Modern Biological Techniques(RIMBT
3
Former Master's student, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan and University of Guilan-Iran
Abstract
The genus Thymus is one of the plants with a Mediterranean distribution. This plant has about 350 species and in Iran there are 14 species of aromatic and perennial plants that grow in mountainous areas and have an important impact on treatment, health and various industries due to having more than 20 types of major known chemical compounds. The percentage of thyme essential oil varies between 0.8 and 1.4 and most of its components include phenolic compounds, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Thymol is the main component of phenolic compounds in the thyme plant. Thyme leaves are used in food products and the plant's essential oils is used in various beverages and pharmaceutical, health and cosmetic industries. Thyme oil has properties such as antispasmodic, carminative, antifungal, antibacterial, disinfectant, anthelmintic, antirheumatic, expectorant, antioxidant, natural food preservative and delaying the aging of mammals. Thyme essential oil is one of the ten famous essential oils that has a special place in global trade. This study provides a general overview of scientific research and findings, especially the species and morphological and phytochemical diversity of the Thyme genus. So far, much research has been conducted on this genus, but due to the high diversity of species in this genus, as well as diverse climatic and ecological effects and numerous subspecies, there is no appropriate conclusion in this regard. It is hoped that by summarizing the findings of the researchers, a new horizon can be opened in the study of endemic species of Iran and high-yielding varieties worldwide.
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