Abstract

ESSENTIAL OIL CONSTITUENTS OF SWERTIA CILIATA D.DON EX G.DON. FROM KUMAUN HIMALAYA, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA.

Deepak Chandra*, Kundan Prasad, G. Bisht and Vinay Deep Punetha

Abstract

Swertia (family- Gentianaceae) is a large genus of herbs distributed in the mountainous regions of tropical area at an altitude of 1200-3600m. The essential oil of leaves of Swertia ciliata (D.Don ex G.Don), were extracted by steam distillation. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of volatile essential oil constituents of the plant was done by Gas Chromatography (GC) and GC -Mass Spectrometry. A total of 54 components of the essential oil of S. ciliata. were identified, accounting for 96.59 % of the total oil. The main compounds found were Octadecanal 14.36 %, Nonanal 8.56%, β-Linalool 7.35%, 7- Octylidenebicyclo[4.1.0]heptane 6.94 %, Methyl-Myrtenate 4.21 %.

Keywords: Swertia ciliata, essential oil, Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry.