Plant material: Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) fruits were collected from cultivated plants in the region of Korba (northeastern Tunisia) in April 2006. Seeds were set to germinate at 25 ℃. Ten-day-old coriander seedlings were grown in quarter-strength Hoagland's solution laced with 0 mM, 25 mM, 50 mM and 75 mM of NaCl. The culture was placed in a greenhouse with 25 ℃ day maximum and 18 ℃ night minimum, under artificial light of 141 µmol/m² /s (6000 lux) with 16 h photoperiod and 60-80% air humidity. Nutrient solution was continuously aerated. Growth parameters: Plants were harvested at the seedling stage 3 weeks after treatment.

Essential oil content was 1762.64 µg/g dry weight (DW) (0.18%) and 1255.77 µg/g DW (0.12%) in stems and leaves, respectively. At low and moderate stress, a significant difference in the essential oil content was developed between stems, with a significant decrease, and leaves, with an increase up to 43%. Under high salinity, the oil content of both organs decreased significantly. The major volatile compound of stems and leaves was (E)-2-decenal with 24% and 52%, respectively. Other important components were decanal, (E)-2-dodecenal, dodecanal, (E)-2-undecenal, (E)-2-tridecenal and (E)-2-undecanal. Further, the content of these compounds were affected differently by the treatment level and by the organ type.

Two samples (20 kg each) of mature coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) fruits were used for this study. The first was purchased from a spice market of Korba in Tunisia (Tn), the second, from Canada (Can), was supplied by General Herboristerie Laboratory (Marseille, France).

The first from Tunisia (Tn) and the second from Canada (Can). The highest essential oil yield was observed for Can with 0.44% (w/w) and 0.37% (w/w) for Tn. Forty-five compounds were identified in the essential oils and the main compound of both samples was linalool. The total phenol contents varied between two coriander fruit samples; Can sample presented high polyphenol contents (15.16 mg GAE/g) compared with Tn one (12.10 mg GAE/g). Significant differences were also found in total tannin contents among representing 0.7 mg GAE/g in Can and 0.34 mg GAE/g in Tn. The highest contents of total flavonoids were observed in Can sample with 13.2 mg CE/g.

Fruits of coriander of commercial crops from Viamonte (Province of Cordoba), Argentina were compared with three Russian oils imported by the Argentinian fragrance and flavor industry.

Twenty components were identified which accounted for 96.6-99-7% of the total oils composition. The main constituents were linalool (68.9-83-7%), gamma-terpinene (2,2-5.1%), camphor (3.2-4.8%), alpha-pinene (1.0-6.5%), geraniol (1.4-3.2%) and geranyl acetate (0.8-3.8%). The contents of cis- and trans-linalool oxide (0.1-0.4%) were low.