Variability of certain chemotypes in three accessions of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.)

In 203 analyzed chamomile plants, several compounds appreciated for their medicinal value, were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. α-Bisabolol and its oxides A and B were measured by gas chromatography; matricine as a precursor of chamazulene, was assessed semi-quantitatively by matching visually thin layer chromatography bands with a concentration range of the pure substance and the flavonoids apigenin and apigenin-7-glycoside were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography. Mean values of all compounds were compared in the three chamomile accessions ‘Manzana’, ‘Lutea’ and ‘Hungarian 2’. Correlations between different substances over all data were calculated. Moreover, certain groups combining particular properties according to their desired purpose or specificity, were formed. Their incidence in the particular chamomile varieties was determined. ‘Manzana’, a tetraploid cultivar, exhibited the highest share of the valuable bisabolol–matricine-type and the lowest ratio of bisabolol-oxides to bisabolol. To develop ‘high-quality-populations’, defined individuals of this cultivar shall be selected for further breeding.