**2.1 Collection and preparation of plant material**

Aerial parts of *S. serrata* were collected from populations in different localities (**Table 1**) during 2018. The plant material was dried in a solar dryer at a temperature between 30 and 35°C and immediately extracted. **Figure 3** shows pictures of the population in Santa Cruz del Quiché, Quiché, and details of floral button of the plant.

### **2.2 Seed germination**

Seeds of *S. serrata* were collected in the surroundings of Santa Lucia Utatlán, Sololá (N 14° 46 40.4″ W 091° 14 41.5″/2430 m), in December 2015. Seeds were stored in trays inside a solar dryer at a temperature between 30 and 35°C for 2 months.

After drying, seeds were manually removed from the flower receptacles and subsequently placed for germination in peat moss previously moistened into plastic strainers (**Figure 4**).

### **2.3 Transplantation of seedlings and root obtention**

The seedlings obtained were transplanted to 4-gallon flowerpots containing potting soil. The plants were placed in direct sunlight and watered daily. After the seed production by the individuals grown in pots, their roots were removed, washed, and dried in a solar dryer. Then, the roots were pulverized in a forage mill for the extraction of the essential oil.

#### **2.4 Extraction of essential oil**

The oil from 50.0 g of aerial parts of *S. serrata* was extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus for 2 h. It was then weighed with an analytical scale. The extraction of the essential oil of 100 g of powdered roots was carried out

**207**

**Table 1.**

**Figure 3.**

**Figure 4.**

*right.*

*stage on the right.*

*Seed Propagation and Constituents of the Essential Oil of* Stevia serrata *Cav. from Guatemala*

in the same Clevenger-type apparatus for 2 h. The essential oils of the aerial parts and of the roots were collected in pentane which was later removed in a rotatory evaporator at 40°C. All the extractions were made in triplicate, and the reported

*Germinated seeds of S. serrata on the left, seedlings in peat moss in the middle, and transplanted plants on the* 

*Population of S. serrata in Santa Cruz del Quiché, Quiché, on the left and details of S. serrata in floral button* 

yield corresponds to the average of the three extractions.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88221*

*Localities and dates of collection of individuals of S. serrata.*



#### **Table 1.**

*Essential Oils - Oils of Nature*

the formalin test [33].

**Figure 2.**

**2. Methodology**

**2.2 Seed germination**

strainers (**Figure 4**).

**2.1 Collection and preparation of plant material**

**2.3 Transplantation of seedlings and root obtention**

for the extraction of the essential oil.

**2.4 Extraction of essential oil**

decoction of the "October flower" is used by the midwives to accelerate the contractions of the parturients during childbirth [36]. Oral administration of *S. serrata* essential oil from Guatemala produced a marked antinociceptive activity in mice in

*From left to right, structures of chamazulene, caryophyllene oxide, germacrene D, and matricine.*

The purpose of the study was to determine the composition of the essential oil of aerial parts of *S. serrata* from different localities of the Guatemalan highlands, to evaluate the variability of the content of chamazulene. The capability of propagation of plants of *S. serrata* was also determined by a seed propagation trial. Finally, the composition of the essential oil of the roots of the propagated plants was determined to compare it with the composition of the oil extracted from aerial parts of the plant.

Aerial parts of *S. serrata* were collected from populations in different localities (**Table 1**) during 2018. The plant material was dried in a solar dryer at a temperature between 30 and 35°C and immediately extracted. **Figure 3** shows pictures of the population in Santa Cruz del Quiché, Quiché, and details of floral button of the plant.

Seeds of *S. serrata* were collected in the surroundings of Santa Lucia Utatlán, Sololá (N 14° 46 40.4″ W 091° 14 41.5″/2430 m), in December 2015. Seeds were stored in trays inside a solar dryer at a temperature between 30 and 35°C for 2 months. After drying, seeds were manually removed from the flower receptacles and subsequently placed for germination in peat moss previously moistened into plastic

The seedlings obtained were transplanted to 4-gallon flowerpots containing potting soil. The plants were placed in direct sunlight and watered daily. After the seed production by the individuals grown in pots, their roots were removed, washed, and dried in a solar dryer. Then, the roots were pulverized in a forage mill

The oil from 50.0 g of aerial parts of *S. serrata* was extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus for 2 h. It was then weighed with an analytical scale. The extraction of the essential oil of 100 g of powdered roots was carried out

**206**

*Localities and dates of collection of individuals of S. serrata.*

#### **Figure 3.**

*Population of S. serrata in Santa Cruz del Quiché, Quiché, on the left and details of S. serrata in floral button stage on the right.*

#### **Figure 4.**

*Germinated seeds of S. serrata on the left, seedlings in peat moss in the middle, and transplanted plants on the right.*

in the same Clevenger-type apparatus for 2 h. The essential oils of the aerial parts and of the roots were collected in pentane which was later removed in a rotatory evaporator at 40°C. All the extractions were made in triplicate, and the reported yield corresponds to the average of the three extractions.
