Contributions to the pharmacognostical study on Anethum graveolens, dill (Apiaceae).

Abstract

The objectives of this study were the comparative pharmacognostical analysis of flowers, fruits and leaves of dill. Microscopic examination showed the following specific anatomical elements: ovoids pollen grains, druses of calcium oxalate, fatty oil, aleurone, stomata of the diacytic and anomoytic type. The chemical analysis established the presence of flavonoids (rutin, quercetin), hydroxicinnamic acid derivates (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid), coumarins (scopoletin), sterols (beta-sitosterol/stigmasterol) and mucilages. Flowers and leaves of dill had a higher amount of polyphenols comparative to fruits. The results of the conducted study emphasized the fruits and flowers of dill as potential sources of essential oil.