## 4 Discussion
### The Importance of Studying the Dynamics over a Year  
Studying the dynamics of chemical constituents in RoEO over a year is crucial for several reasons. EOs are widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries, where consistent quality and efficacy are paramount. Understanding how the chemical composition varies with seasons can help in standardizing the production process and ensuring that the EOs meet the required quality standards throughout the year.  
Seasonal variations can significantly impact the therapeutic properties of EOs. For instance, certain compounds with strong antimicrobial or antioxidant properties might be more abundant in specific seasons. By identifying these variations, producers can optimize harvesting times to yield EOs with desired properties for specific applications.  
Additionally, this temporal analysis provides insights into the plant's metabolic processes and how they are influenced by environmental factors. Such knowledge can guide agricultural practices, such as the timing of fertilization and irrigation, to enhance the yield and quality of EOs. It also has implications for the storage and preservation of EOs, as understanding seasonal peaks in bioactive compounds can inform better storage practices to maintain efficacy.  
Variations in EO compositions are extensively documented for aromatic and medicinal plants, influenced by geographic origin, environmental factors, and genetic variability. For instance, _Menthu_\(\times\)_piperta_ EO exhibits significant variations based on harvesting season and environmental conditions [66], while seasonal shifts in EO compositions are also reported for _Thymus vulgaris_[67; 68] and _Ocimum gratissimum_[69]. Our findings on RoEO from Romania revealed camphor as the dominant compound, followed by 1,8-cineole (eucalypt) and \(\alpha\)-pinene. This chemotype differs from others, emphasizing the role of regional conditions in shaping EO composition.  
Comparative analyses further highlight the geographic and seasonal variability in RoEO profiles. For instance, [PERSON] et al. [70] identified 1,8-cineole as the major constituent in rosmary accessions from the western Himalayas, with significant seasonal and genetic variability. In contrast, \(\alpha\)-pinene is often dominant in RoEO from Mediterranean regions [4; 33; 60; 61; 62] and bornyl acetate is often dominant in RoEO from Northeast Africa (Sudan) [14]. These findings underscore that while camphor, 1,8-cineole, and \(\alpha\)-pinene are universally important components, their relative abundances depend on environmental conditions, genetic factors, and regional influences. Such variability highlights the importance of tailoring rosmary cultivation and harvesting strategies to maximize industrial and pharmaceutical applications.  
Lastly, from a scientific perspective, studying these dynamics contributes to a deeper understanding of plant biochemistry and ecology. It helps elucidate how plants interact with their environment and how these interactions influence their secondary metabolite production. This can lead to the discovery of new compounds with potential health benefits and further the development of natural product-based therapies.