SPME-GC-MS Analysis of the Volatile Profile of Three Fresh Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) Morphotypes from Different Regions of Northern Italy

Abstract

Achillea millefolium L. is the most representative plant of the genus Achillea due to its long-standing use. Previous investigations have allowed for the identification of many chemical compounds including phenols, flavonoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and their derivatives. However, only a few reports have considered flower color in relation to A. millefolium composition. In this work, the phytochemical analysis on the volatile content of fresh samples of three morphotypes—white, pink and deep pink—collected in different points of the Italian Alpine area, was performed by the SPME-GC-MS technique. The obtained data highlighted a high content of terpenic compounds in all of the investigated morphotypes with a general predominance of monoterpenes over sesquiterpenes with the exception of the white morphotype at collection point A (Saint Marcel, Valle d’Aosta). An in-depth statistical investigation was also carried out to better interpret the distribution of the various components both in relation to the morphotype and collection point.