Introduction
Anethum graveolens L. or dill, belonging to Apiaceae
(Umbelliferae) family, is an annual aromatic herb known for culinary and
medicinal use since ancient times. It is cultivated in the most parts of
Europe and the United States of America. A variant called east Indian dill or
sowa (Anethum sowa Roxb.) is cultivated in India, Egipt and Japan. The
chemical composition of the essential oil of the two chimiotypes of dill and
sowa differs mainly by the dillapiole content. The typical flavour of herb
dill oil is due to α-phellandrene, limonene and dill ether (anethofuran). For
flavouring purposes the herb oil with low content of carvone is preferred
[1]. The dill seed oil contains a small quantity of dillapiole up to 3% when
grown in tropical climate [1, 2]. In the east Indian dill (sowa) the content of