CRITERIA FOR THE QUALITY OF PLANT MATERIAL AND ESSENTIAL OIL OF IMMORTELLE (HELICHRYSUM ITALICUM (ROTH.) G. DON)

Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum) is a xerophytic plant species naturally present in the wild population of Mediterranean on karst and dry terrains. Since ancient times, the immortelle has been known as a “non-vein plant” and is highly valued due to its wide application in folk medicine. Antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, regenerative, insecticidal and repellent properties of essential oil and hydrolates are a frequent subject of recent research. The chemical composition of the essential oil and characteristics of plant material have a direct effect on market price. This research was conducted by a survey of producers and buyers of immortelle plant material and essential oil with the aim to gather information on the quality criteria of plant material and essential oil. The collected data showed that the basic criteria for quality determination of plant material are controlled growing conditions and the main parameters affecting the price of the essential oil are chemical composition, i.e. the content and ratio of α-pinene and neryl acetate.