FT-IR and GC-MS analyses of an antioxidant leaf essential oil from sage plants cultivated as an alternative to tobacco production

The renewed interest in medicinal and aromatic plants and the increase in their market demand have favoured rural development programs for their cultivation, also as a measure to counteract the profound crisis affecting some agricultural sectors. Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a plant of the Lamiaceae family, whose leaves contain some different active ingredients, which confer sage-based preparations any properties. In particular, sage essential oil (EO) is known for its antiseptic and balsamic properties. As the composition of sage EO strongly depends on environmental factors, the chemical investigation of a leaf EO, obtained from sage plants experimentally cultivated in the Benevento area (Campania, Italy), was achieved using analytical techniques as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and flame ionization detector (FID). Furthermore, in order to strengthen potential uses of products based on locally cultivated sage, different assays were performed to evaluate its antioxidant effects.