The phytochemical response of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) to methanol and ethanol hydroalcoholic solutions

The purpose of this study was evaluating effect of methanol and ethanol foliar application as a new and safe technology in plant production on lemon balm's volatile oil components. This experiment was based on a randomized complete block design with 11 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments of this study include: control (without distilled water), ethanol and methanol aqueous solutions with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% (v/v). phytochemical result of treatment indicated that the most of biosynthesis of Beta Caryophyllene, Neral, Geranial, Caryophyllene Oxide, Delta Cadinene, Delta Cadinol, Citronellal, Germacrene B, Geranyl Acetate were affected by methanol 50% solution and the most of biosynthesis of Caryophyllene and Alpha Cadinol were obtained by ethanol 50% solution. In general, the results indicated that foliar application of hydro alcoholic solutions such as methanol and ethanol on Lemon Balm can increase the biosynthesis of Lemon Balm's Volatile oil components. It seems that foliar application of hydro alcoholic solutions can be as a new method that is useful for increasing performance of medicinal plant especially in Arid and semiarid. In production of medicinal plant particularly in Sustainable agriculture in order to produce medicine, It is recommended that foliar application of hydro alcoholic solution (50% ethanol and methanol) in climates the same of study area can increase the quantity of essential oil on lemon balm.