Abstract In this study, we developed tissue culture protocol of Salvia dolomitica, a particularly fragrant sage and
we evaluated the yield and the profile of essential oil (EO)
produced from plants grown in vivo compared to in vitro
plant material cultured in two light intensity growth conditions. Plant extracts secreted from glandular trichomes are, in
Lamiacea, a valuable source of biologically active volatile
compounds. Microscopical observations permitted to
describe, for the first time, secretory structures fromS. dolomitica leaves developed in vitro showing morphological
identity to in vivo glands. The yield of EO obtained from
light-stressed in vitro plants was higher than which obtained
from the non-stressed in vitro plants and threefold higher that
in vivo plants. Phytochemical analysis of EOs and volatile
compounds showed quali-quantitative differences between
S. dolomiticain vitro grown plantlets and those from open
field.a-Pinene, b-phellandrene and borneol accumulated
predominantly in micropropagated plants whileb-caryophyllene