Fresh aerial parts of thyme were harvested from open areas of
South Brazil during the blooming season (late December, 2012).
The plants age ranged from 6 months to 3 years. The leafs were then
dried under ambient conditions (30–40 C) for 3 days on a large
screened tray and commercialised by Nuticrok Alimentos Ltda,
Maringa, Brazil (T. vulgaris L. – allotment: 3003/50 W). Thyme
essential oil was obtained from dried thyme leafs by hydrodistillation
using a Clevenger apparatus, as described by the European
Pharmacopea (Council of Europe, 1997). The oil obtained was stored
at 4 C and protected from light prior to chemical analysis and use.