Ducrosia anethifolia L., an aromatic plant of the Apiaceae family, is traditionally used in Iran to improve the odor of foods and drinks. Different biological activities have been reported for this plant such as antibacterial, cytotoxic, antiproliferative, antianxiety, and sedative. The essential oil profile of D. anethifolia was investigated in different plant situations (phenological stages, stalks and fresh aerial parts in seed stage, and powdered and non-powdered seeds in 2018 and 2019). The essential oil was isolated by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger apparatus and was analyzed by gas chromatography. Decanal was the main compound of essential oil in floral-budding stage (40.26%). However, through plant growth and development, its amount decreased and the amount of 2-dodecenal-E increased (up to 64.51% in fresh seed stages). In the seeds, chrysanthenyl acetate was the major ingredient of the essential oil (49.11%), especially in aged and powdered seeds. The maximum and minimum essential oil content (w/v) was obtained from powdered seeds of 2019 (1.95%) and floral-budding stage (0.34%), respectively. Interestingly, principle component analyses (PCA) based on 15 main combinations of the essential oil scattered the studied samples in ordered arrangement from the floral-budding stage to the aged seeds. Briefly, obvious fluctuations were observed in the essential oil of D. anethifolia under various circumstances; flavorous decanal in floral budding, anticonvulsant 2-dodecenal-E in stems, and sedative chrysanthenyl acetate in powdered seeds. It seems this overlooked plant is proving worthy as a new nutraceutical, in any situations.
