Abstract

HPTLC FINGERPRINTING OF FLAVONOIDS PROFILE OF THREE CURCUMA SPECIES

*Mangesh Dagawal and Prabha Bhogaonkar

Abstract

Genus Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae) comprising of 120 species is distributed throughout South and South-East Asia, with few species extending to China, Austrilia and South Pacific. Four species of Curcuma are reported from Melghat. Of these C. longa L. is cultivated, while C. inodora Blatt., C. pseudomontana J. Graham and C. decipiens are wild. C. decipiens being rare coluld not be collected. Curcuma inodora Blatt. known as ‘Jangali Halad’ is a common herb of Melghat at higher elevations. In Melghat area populations of C. inodora are found to show many distinct variations in aerial as well as underground characters. Twelve distinct variants of C. inodora and single accession each of C. pseudomontana and C. longa were collected. HPTLC profile of flavonoid showed significantly different banding pattern and Rf values. Peak at 0.88 Rf value is most common chemical compound present in sample 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 i.e. in 50 % samples. C. longa is distinct from others showing peaks at Rf 0.38, 0.62 and 0.71 not produced by rest 13 accessions. HPTLC screening of flavonoid reflects distinctness as well as relatedness of the species. Flavonoid profile can be used for the standardization of three Curcuma species studied here.

Keywords: Curcuma inodora Blatt.; Curcuma pseudomontana J. Graham; Curcuma longa L.; Melghat Forest; HPTLC; Flavonoid profile.