Gopi Chand

Seasonal variation in phytochemicals of essential oil from Juniperus communis needles in western Himalaya

Essential oil from Juniperus communis needles were examined in three different seasons (spring, rainy and winter) throughout the year for the analysis of yield and chemical composition. Volatiles of the needles were obtained by hydrodistillation process using clevenger type apparatus. The essential oil yield in all the seasons was not significantly changed and was found 0.29% (rainy), 0.3% (winter) and 0.33% (spring). Chemical compositions of the oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS techniques on DB-5 capillary column resulted in identification of twenty-eight components. Identified components accounted for 91.1–93.1% of the total oils. The major class of compounds identified in present essential oil was monoterpene hydrocarbons (51.9–63.7%) with sabinene (30.1–37.1%) as the major constituent. Other compounds characterized in all the seasons were limonene (11.3–15.7%), 4-terpineol (9.1–10.5%), α-pinene (3.6–7.9%), δ-cadinene (3.7–4.6%), cis-sabinene hydrate (3.6–4.2%), myrcene (2.5–3.1%), α-terpinene (2.3–2.8%) and manool (1.3–2.2%). In this experiment winter was found to be most suitable time for the isolation of sabinene and limonene.

A New Dihomosesquiterpene, Termioic Acid A, from Curcuma aromatica

The naturally occurring C17 compound dihomosesquiterpene (1), along with two known compounds (2, 3), was isolated from the ethanolic extract of Curcuma aromatica rhizomes. Compound 1 was identified as a new compound using 1D and 2D NMR (1H, 13C, DEPT, 1H–1H-COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) spectroscopic techniques and called termioic acid A ((1S,4S,5R,6S,8E,10Z)-1,13-dihydroxy-4-epoxy-8(12),9(10)-diene-termi-11-oic acid). With the help of HPLC, the content of compound 1 in the extract was also determined.

Comparative metabolic profiling of Costus speciosus leaves and rhizomes using NMR, GC-MS and UPLC/ESI-MS/MS

Abstract Costus speciosus had been used in oriental systems of medicines, to treat diverse ailments. The present study was focused on NMR, GC-MS and UPLC/ESI-MS/MS-based metabolic profiling of C. speciosus. This metabolic study resulted in the identification of 91 and quantification of 69 metabolites. Caffeic acid derivatives previously unreported in C. speciosus were also identified. High quantity of steroidal saponins namely methyl protogracillin (297.97 ± 0.07 mg/g dried wt.) and dioscin (158.72 ± 0.27 mg/g dried wt.) were observed in butanol fraction of rhizomes. Health care metabolites including caffeic acid (37.88 ± 0.04 mg/g dried wt.) and trehalose (75.12 ± 0.08 mg/g dried wt.) were also detected in ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of rhizomes, respectively. Metabolites of nutraceutical and biological significance including eremanthine (5.14 ± 0.68%, peak area), tocopherols (~22%), sterols (~25%) were also identified from hexane fractions of rhizomes and leaves using GC-MS. The analytical techniques used had successfully differentiated metabolites composition among leaves and rhizomes.

A new oxo-sterol derivative from the rhizomes of Costus speciosus

Abstract Chemical investigation of the rhizomes of Costus speciosus led to the isolation of a new compound, 22-ketocholesteryl palmitate (1) along with four known compounds, 24-methylenecycloartanol (2), cycloartanol (3), stigmasterol (4) and linoleic acid (5). The structure of new compound was characterised by extensive 1D-, 2D-NMR and mass spectrometry (GC-MS and HR-ESI-MS) techniques.

Chemical Composition, Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activities of Essential Oils of Cultivated Clones of Juniperus communis and Wild Juniperus Species

Needles of seven cultivated clones (C1 – C7) of Juniperus communis at lower altitude and three wild Juniperus species (J. communis, J. recurva and J. indica) at higher altitudes were investigated comparatively for their essential oils (EOs) yields, chemical composition, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. The EOs yields varied from 0.26 to 0.56% (v/w) among samples. Sixty‐one volatile components were identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and quantified using gas chromatography GC (FID) representing 82.5 – 95.7% of the total oil. Monoterpene hydrocarbons (49.1 – 82.8%) dominated in all samples (α‐pinene, limonene and sabinene as major components). Principal component analysis (PCA) of GC data revealed that wild and cultivated Juniperus species are highly distinct due to variation in chemical composition. J. communis (wild species) displayed cytotoxicity against SiHa (human cervical cancer), A549 (human lung carcinoma) and A431 (human skin carcinoma) cells (66.4 ± 2.2%, 74.4 ± 1.4% and 57.4 ± 4.0%), respectively, at 200 μg/ml. EOs exhibited better antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria than against Gram‐negative bacteria with the highest zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96 (19.2 ± 0.7) by clone‐7. As per the conclusion of the findings, EOs of clone‐2, clone‐5 and clone‐7 can be suggested to the growers of lower altitude, as there is more possibility of uses of these EOs in food and medicinal preparations.

Physiological and NPK studies for developing agrotechniques for SRHD energy plantations in the North-Western Himalayas.

The study was undertaken to develop agrotechniques for raising short-rotation, high-density (SRHD) energy plantations as a renewable energy source by using planting densities of 10,000 and 14,000 plants/ha. Under Species × Spacing × Fertilizers (N:P:K), the effect of fertilizers was more evident on plant height than on stem diameter. The species as Grevillea robusta, Bauhinia variegata, and Eucalyptus showed the most statistically significant vertical and radial growth in both of the spacings. The N:P:K::50:25:25 kg/ha produced statistically significant growth. The photosynthesis rate, as recorded, showed that Salix tetrasperma had high rates of CO2 assimilation but poor aerial growth. The photosynthetic rate under varying fertilizer treatments remained unchanged, but the biomass improved significantly. In G. robusta, excellent aerial growth was observed despite a low rate of photosynthesis (even at low water potential). The dry weight of Eucalyptus was recorded (60 and 233 t/ha; spacing 1 m × 1 m and 1 m × 0.71 m) after 3 yr. After 10 yr, the highest dry weight was recorded again in Eucalyptus at 1,471.44 t/ha. The lowest moisture content (36–38%) was recorded in Morus alba, while the highest moisture content was recorded in Eucalyptus (66–70%). In all tested species, G. robusta (26%) showed the maximum calorific value.