Rutgers Oregano lines: Pierre and Eli
Invention Summary:
Rutgers oregano selection and crop improvement program has developed two new oregano (Origaum vulgare) varieties, named as ‘Pierre’ and ‘Eli’, following extensive multi-year evaluation under different environments. These two plant varieties were propagated vegetatively and showed good field performance in the Mid-Atlantic region. They demonstrate upright growth, making it suitable for mechanical harvest.
Rutgers researchers have developed ‘Pierre’ and ‘Eli’ lines which were uniform in their production of biomass, essential oil and carvacrol, as opposed to substantial variation seen in commercially available Italian and Greek oregano varieties. The ‘Pierre’ line has significantly higher biomass yields when compared with commercial oregano lines it was tested against, with a 10% improvement over the closest commercial line. ‘Pierre’ and ‘Eli’ had higher essential oil yields than any of the other oregano lines tested, with ‘Eli’ producing the highest carvacrol concentration. These novel cultivars will provide a grower with an O. vulgare cultivar that produces the traditional aroma while providing an increase in the total phenols produced as well when compared to other commercial alternatives.
Market Applications:
- Fresh or Dry Spices
- Essential Oils for flavoring and infused products
- Nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications of Carvacrol
- Excellent anti-bacterial, insect repellent agent and natural control against grey mold
Advantages:
- Greater biomass production
- Higher essential oil, carvacrol and phenolic content
- Upright growth habit and larger leaf width
Intellectual Property & Development Status: Patented varieties available for licensing and/or research collaboration. For any business development and other collaborative partnerships contact marketingbd@research.rutgers.edu.
Publications:
2023. Patel, H, E.N. Gomes, Q.L Wu, N. Patel, D.Y. Kobayashi, C. Wang and J.E. Simon. Volatile metabolites from new cultivars of catnip and oregano (Lamiaceae) as potential antibacterial and insect repellent agents. Frontiers in Plant Science 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1124305
2021. Reichert, W., H. Patel, C. Mazzei, H. Rodolfo Juliani and J.E. Simon. Two new high carvacrol yielding oregano (Origanum vulgare) cultivars: ‘Pierre’ and ‘Eli’. HortScience 56(12):1610–1613. 2021. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14886-20
2021. Vasilatis, A., T. Gianfagna and J.E. Simon. Investigation of growth inhibition by thymol and carvacrol from Thymus spp. and Origanum vulgare on Botrytis cinerea. J Medicinally Active Plants 1177:24-31.
2010. Shen, D., M.H. Pan, Q.L. Wu, C.H. Park, H.R. Juliani, C.R. Welch and J.E. Simon. Identification of the anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds in oregano (Origanum spp.) and their simultaneous quantitation by LC/MS. J. Agric. Food Chemistry 58(12):7119-7125.
2021. Simon, J.E. and W. Reichert. Oregano Plant Named ‘Eli’. A distinct new high essential oil yielding and rich source of carvacrol and anti-inflammatory agents. US Plant Patent No. US2021/0259144P1.
2021. Simon, J.E. and W. Reichert. Oregano Plant Named ‘Pierre’. A distinct new high carvacrol yielding oregano. US Plant Patent No. PP33,095 P2.
