Innovative products from Apulian marginal areas: Salvia rosmarinus Schleid. as source of bioactive compound

Salvia rosmarinus L. is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean basin, where grows wildly in a range of varieties, subspecies and biotypes, riches in essential oils (EOs). They show interesting biological activities on crop protection. In Apulian marginal areas, rosemary wild populations characterized by a high tolerance to unfavourable climate and soil conditions are growing at their The S. rosmarinus cultivation and transformation in that region can turn into an opportunity to valorize local biodiversity (chemotypes) through the development of value chains in different sectors (agriculture, cosmetic, herbal, etc.). The morphological and chemical characterization of S. rosmarinus biotypes in Apulian region distinguish four EO chemotypes. The results of the present study disclose new scenarios, since the development of value chains based on wild rosemary cultivation can turn into an opportunity to produce bioactive compounds as innovative products.