Chitra Pande

Chemical variations in Cymbopogon distans and their chemosystematic implications

Abstract Cymbopogon distans collections from different parts of N. W. Himalayan region of India show four distinct chemotypes. The terpenoid composition, morphological data and chemosystematic significance are discussed.

Chemical markers in Origanum vulgare L. from Kumaon Himalayas: a chemosystematic study.

The essential oils of four wild growing Origanum vulgare L. (family Lamiaceae) collected from different locations in Kumaon region (Uttarakhand, India) were analysed by capillary GC and GC/MS. The comparative results of O. vulgare L. collected from four different regions showed differences in the chemical constituents of the essential oils. The oil of O. vulgare L. collected from Dhoulchina and Champawat (chemotype I) shows p-cymene (6.7–9.8%), γ-terpinene (12.4–14.0%), thymol (29.7–35.1%) and carvacrol (12.4–20.9%) as major constituents while the oil from Kilbury and Rushi village (chemotype II) shows linalool (6.7–9.7%), bornyl acetate (12.6–16.8%), β-caryophyllene (10.5–13.8%) and germacrene D (6.3–11.3%) as the major constituents. These features highlight the chemosystematics of this genus.

Chemical composition of the essential oil of Feronia elephantum Correa.

The essential oil composition of Feronia elephantum Correa (family: Rutaceae) was examined by capillary gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS). The analysis revealed the presence of 24 constituents, of which 18 constituents were identified. Trans-anethole (57.73%) and methyl chavicol (37.48%) were the major compounds, while cis-anethole, p-anisaldehyde, (E)-jasmone, methyl eugenol, β-caryophyllene, linalool and (E)-methyl isoeugenol were also present as the minor constituents.

Chemosystematics of terpenoids in Cyrnbopogon martinii

Cymbopogon martinii var. sofia possesses cis- and trans-forms of each of p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ols, piperitols, pmentha-1(7),8-dien-2-ols and carveols, and limonene and carvone. Dominant presence of p-menthadienols is characteristic of the oll. The composition and chemotaxonomic significance is discussed.

Effect of Heavy Metals on Terpenoid Composition of Ocimum basilicum L. and Mentha spicata L.

Abstract In a greenhouse study, saplings of Ocimum basilicum L. and Mentha spicata L. were planted in pots in four replicates on soils treated with different concentrations of lead, copper and cadmium. The essential oil composition of aerial parts was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. There was significant quantitative variation in the essential oil of Ocimum basilicum growing in all metal amended soils. In case of Mentha spicata, no significant change in essential oil composition was observed for plants grown in metal amended soils.

Variation in essential oil composition of Ocimum americanum L. from north-western Himalayan region

The essential oils of ten wild growing Ocimum americanum L. of the family Lamiaceae collected from different locations in Uttarakhand, India, were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). On the basis of chemical composition and cluster analysis, O. americanum was classified into six groups. Group I was significantly rich in methyl chavicol, 1,8-cineole, (E)-γ-bisabolene, β-bisabolene and eugenol, while group II has (E)-γ-bisabolene, aliphatic hydrocarbons, eugenol, β-bisabolene and methyl chavicol as major constituents. Eugenol and (E)-caryophyllene were found in abundant quantity in group III and linalool with methyl chavicol in group IV. Group V contained aliphatic hydrocarbons, eugenol, camphor and 1,8-cineole in high content while camphor and aliphatic hydrocarbons were found in group VI. Linalool was positively correlated with methyl chavicol, while eugenol with (E)-α-bisabolene and β-bisabolene with (E)-γ-bisabolene. The essential oil composition of O. amercanum was found to be affected by variation in soil properties and microclimatic conditions.

Constituents of the Leaf Oil of Curcuma longa L. from Uttaranchal

Abstract The volatile oil from the leaves of Curcuma longa L. has been investigated by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-eight constituents have been identified, with terpinolene (71.2%) as the major constituent.

Exploration of antimicrobial potential of essential oils of Cinnamomum glanduliferum, Feronia elephantum, Bupleurum hamiltonii and Cyclospermum leptophyllum against foodborne pathogens

Abstract Context: Cinnamomum glanduliferum (Wall.) Meissn. (Lauraceae), Feronia elephantum Correa (Rutaceae), Bupleurum hamiltonii Balak (Apiaceae) and Cyclospermum leptophyllum (Pers.) Sprague ex Britton & P. Wilson (Apiaceae) are common species found in Northwest Himalaya and are widely used as folk medicine. The study became more interesting because hitherto there are no reports on the antimicrobial screening of these species with specific chemical composition. Objective: The antimicrobial potential of the essential oils of C. glanduliferum, F. elephantum, B. hamiltonii and C. leptophyllum against some commonly occurring foodborne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria was explored in this study. Materials and methods: Antimicrobial screening studies of essential oils were performed against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains using broth-dilution methods. Each essential oil was prepared by serial double dilution method to get final concentrations ranging from 0.85--440.0 µg/ml in a 96 microtiter plate. Results: The in vitro studies revealed that C. glanduliferum oil was very active against Gram-negative bacteria, A. salmonicida (MIC 1.72 µg/ml), E. coli (MIC 3.43 µg/ml), and P. aeruginosa (MIC 3.43 µg/ml) as compared to the standards gentamicin and kanamicin. Oil of C. leptophyllum exhibited better inhibitory activity profile against Gram-positive S. aureus (MIC 3.43 μg/ml) and Gram-negative E. herbicola (MIC 1.72 μg/ml) and P. aeruginosa (MIC 3.43 μg/ml) as compared to the standards. Discussion and conclusion: These results reveal that these essential oils may be used in the treatment of diseases caused by the foodborne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. Their importance as potential medicinal agents is based on the antimicrobial findings.

Phytochemical study of essential oil from the aerial parts of Coleus aromaticus Benth.

The essential oil composition of Coleus aromaticus Benth. (family Lamiaceae) was examined by capillary GC and GC–MS. Analyses revealed the presence of 28 constituents, of which 16 were identified. Thymol (83.39%) was found to be the major compound, while 1-octen-3-ol, terpine-4-ol, eugenol, trans-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and α-cadinol were present as minor constituents.

Essential oil composition of aerial parts of Cyclospermum leptophyllum (Pers.) Sprague ex Britton and P. Wilson

The essential oil of Cyclospermum leptophyllum (Pers.) Sprague ex Britton and P. Wilson syn. Apium leptophyllum (Pers.) F. Muell. Ex Benth., family Apiaceae (Umbellifereae), was analysed by GC and GC–MS. The essential oil showed the presence of thymohydroquinone dimethyl ether (50.7%), thymol methyl ether (11.2%), γ-terpinene (10.4%), p-cymene (9.5%) and carvacrol methyl ether (5.9%), along with trans-ocimene, β-pinene, germacrene D, cumin aldehyde, α-humulene, β-myrcene, sabinene, limonene, β-phellandrene, caryophyllene oxide, α-pinene and α-thujene as minor constituents. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the essential oil composition of C. leptophyllum collected from India.