Variation of volatile compounds in celery through different vegetative stages

Celery (Apium graveolens) is widely used in food and cosmetic industries due to the richness of vitamins, volatile compounds and other bioactive constituents. The objective of the present study was to investigate the variation in the chemical composition of bioactive compounds during four vegetative stages of celery. Celery plants were obtained from a farm in the Isfahan province of Iran. Fresh aerial parts of the plants were harvested at very early vegetative stage, early vegetative stage, mid vegetative stage, and late vegetative stage. The headspace technique and GC-MS analysis were used in tandem to identify bioactive constituents. The findings revealed that phthalides, sesquiterpenes, and monoterpenes were the main constituents of celery bioactive compounds. The composition and percentages of these secondary metabolites were significantly changed among different vegetative stages. There was a rise in the percentages of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes whereas the percentage of phthalides was decreased by advancing age. In conclusion, celery plant at younger age possesses a higher proportion of phthalides, which is accounted for a stronger odour in company with medicinal and industrial benefits.