Influence of phenological stages and method of distillation on Iranian cultivated Bay leaves volatile oil.

Leaves of Bay (Laurus nobilis L.) were collected in different phonological stages and air-dried. Volatile oil of the leaves were obtained using hydro- and steam distillation and the chemical composition were analyzed by GC and GC/Mass and identified in comparison with authentic compounds. The yield of essential oil were 0.8 to 1.5 v/w% and the major compounds were; 1,8 Cineol, alpha-terpinyl acetate and Sabinene. Because of the interesting yield of the oil and presence of 1,8-Cineol as the major compounds, the bearing ripe fruit stage in the mid of September is the best time for harvesting the Bay leaves in Iran.