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The essential oils from fresh, shade dried and oven dried leaves of Callistemon citrinus were separately hydrodistilled and analyzed by GC and GC–MS in order to determine the variation in occurrence of the constituents. The average yield obtained, ranged from 0.30 to 0.97% and the maximum yield recorded in oven dried leaves was (0.97 ± 0.08%), followed by shade dried (0.52 ± 0.03%) and fresh leaves (0.30 ± 0.03%). Twenty compounds amounting 98.4–99.1% were identified in the oils. Among the essential oil constituents, the major component was identified as 1,8-cineole (87.2, 86.0 and 80.0% in shade dried, oven dried and fresh leaves, respectively). 1,8-Cineole is used for its aromatic properties and as an ingredient in pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Valeriana jatamansi is a perennial medicinal herb used in traditional and modern medicines for preventing number of diseases. Root samples were collected from wild and cultivated conditions in different seasons (spring, summer and winter) and analyzed for essential oil composition using gas chromatography – Mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Antioxidant activity of essential oil was evaluated using DPPH (1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) assay. A total of thirty compounds (constitutes 80.1–92.1% of total essential oil) were detected by GC–MS analysis. Patchouli alcohol (36.6–52.8%) was recorded as a major compound followed by guaiene epoxide (3.6–11.5%), seychellene (4.2–5.6%), α-guaiene (2.2–4.6%), kessane (2.7–3.6%), α-patchoulene (0.1–2.3%), β-selinene (0.8–3.1 β-acoradienol (0.6–2.4%), ar-curcumene (0.7–2.2%), γ-patchoulene (1.4–2.6%), viridiflorol (0.6–2.4%), and α-humulene (0.1–4.6%). Essential oil content was recorded higher during winter season in wild (0.9%) and cultivated plants (0.8%) as ...

The present study aims to determine the variability in the chemical composition of the essential oils from the aerial parts of Artemisia vulgaris L. grown in different locations of Uttarakhand Himalaya. The essential oils were obtained through hydro-distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In the oils from two locations (Jhanjhar and Kaditalla), α-thujone was found as the major constituent, ranging from 14.40–21.66 % followed by artemisia ketone (6.77–8.64 %), trans-caryophyllene (6.22–6.94 %) and 1,8-cineole (4.75–5.13 %); however in Chakrata region, artemisia ketone (29.38 %) was determined as a principal constituent followed by p-cymene (7.60 %) and yomogi alcohol (5.48 %), while α-thujone found to be only 3.10 %. Essential oils from all the locations were dominated by oxygenated monoterpenoids (52.04–59.24 %), whereas oxygenated sesquiterpenoids found to be 23.08–24.05 % in Jhanjhar and Kaditalla locations and only 2.44 % in the oil...

Three Himalayan medicinal plants (Habenaria intermedia, H. edgeworthii, and Roscoea procera), widely used in vitality strengthening Ayurvedic formulations in India, were assessed for nutritional phytochemical constituents, and antioxidant activity. These target species emerged as a good source of minerals and possessed important micro elements. Individually, H. intermedia contained a high content of total phenols, thiamins, tannins, and calcium; R. procera was rich in potassium and iron content; and H. edgeworthii emerged as a good source of sodium. While various antioxidant assays provided evidences on the antioxidant potential of target species, greater antioxidant potential of H. intermedia as compared to the other two species was revealing. This study, therefore, highlighted the possibilities of harnessing nutritional and antioxidant potential of these species.

The roots of Angelica glauca Edgew., a high value critically endangered plant, were collected from two alpine Himalayan locations of Uttarakhand (India). The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation, analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) in order to determine the variation of concentration in their constituents. A total of 26 compounds were identified in both the oils, representing 97.7–98.2 % of total oil compositions. The major components of A. glauca oils were characterised as (Z)-ligustilide (40.6–53.0 %), (Z)-butylidene phthalide (20.7–32.8 %), (E)-butylidene phthalide (2.5–5.9 %) and (E)-ligustilide (2.1–2.3 %). Due to the higher relative area quantum of monomeric lactones (phthalides and ligustilides) in A. glauca populations (69.3–90.6 %) growing in Uttarakhand, there is a need to develop propagation protocol for mass multiplication and in situ and ex situ conservation.

An efficient in vitro propagation protocol for Habenaria edgeworthii Hook. f. ex. Collett using seed-derived callus was established. The maximum seed germination was observed in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Induction of callus was achieved on full and ½-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0 μM NAA. The highest number of shoot (11.9 shoots/explant) was achieved in MS medium supplemented with 0.1 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.01 μM NAA. Further, elongated shoots when transferred to ½-strength MS rooting medium with different auxin concentrations induced roots (41.6–83.3%) and tubers (0–20.8%); however, a maximum of 87.5% rooting was achieved in a plant growth regulator (PGR)-free MS medium. Rooted shoots (plantlets) when transferred to a mixture of soil:sand:perlite (1:1:1 ratio) resulted in 68% survival. Inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers confirmed the genetic stability among regenerated plants. The phytochemical analysis of tissue culture-raised tubers showed higher phenolic content than wild tuber. The regeneration protocol developed in this study provides a basis for germplasm conservation and harnessing the total phenol and phenolic compounds of H. edgeworthii. Further, the methods can open avenues for application in other Orchidaceous plants of the Indian Himalayan region.

Berberis asiatica samples collected from nine altitudes of Kumaun Himalaya, India were analyzed for berberine concentrations using high-performance liquid chromatography. Correlation between berberine concentration, size class, and season were established. The root and stem bark samples from lower altitude, having larger size class, contained more berberine. Berberine concentration was the highest in summer and lowest in the rainy season. Low level of soil moisture and higher level of soil potassium produced higher berberine concentrations.

Nutritional and anti-nutritional factors of five Berberis species, widely known for their wild edible fruits and medicinal properties, were investigated in the Indian west Himalaya. These fruits contained high content of fiber (pulp 7.0–8.1%; seeds 4.4–5.3%), protein (pulp 4.7–7.2%; seeds 5.9–8.5%) and fat (pulp 2.6–4.0%; seeds 4.6–5.3%) as compared to most of the known wild edibles in the region. They, however, contained reasonably lower food energy, largely due to low carbohydrate content. All the five species emerged as good source of minerals, especially Ca and K. The values of various nutrient and mineral elements varied significantly among species, which implies potential of different species can be harnessed for diverse attributes. The fruits, however, possessed anti-nutritional factors like tannins and phytic acid, which need to be tackled appropriately while considering these fruits for value addition as health food.

Dry flowering parts of Tanacetum nubigenum and T. gracile Collected from alpine area of Uttarakhand and hydro-distilled for essential oil. T. nubigenum showed higher essential oil yield (0.64 %) as compared to T. gracile (0.1 %). Gas chromatography (GC) and GC–MS analysis revealed a total of 30 compounds in T. nubigenum, and 38 compounds in T. gracile. The major compounds in the essential oil of T. nubigenum were 1,8 cineole (30.0 %), followed by sabinene (15.6 %), eudesmol (11.2 %) and camphor (8.0 %), whereas T. gracile possess α-bisabolol (28.0 %), chamazulene (8.4 %), α-phellandrene (6.9 %), germacrene-D (4.7 %) and eudesmol (4.3 %) as major constituents The results of the present study highlight the potential of the species and its constituents in the industry for preparation of incense (doop) and fragrance. [Tanacetum nubigenum typical photographs]

Objective To evaluate the variation of Cinnamomum tamala leaf essential oil in respect with months and tree size class. Methods By fallowing standard laboratory methods using capillary GC-FID and GC-MS. Results The oil samples were analyzed for two months and two different tree size classes. cinnamaldehyde, was the principal component, was higher in the both months i.e. October and January, highest in 30 cm girth class tree in January month (59.23%) and lowest in 60 cm girth class tree in a month of October (41.90%). Smaller size class tree contained greater amount of cinnamaldehyde as compared to higher size class. Conclusions Consequences of the present study need to selection of proper, tree size and month for harsh economic potentials of such valuable resources

The essential oils isolated from the aerial parts of two different populations of Artemisia gmelinii growing in Uttarakhand Himalaya region were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in order to determine the variation of concentration in their constituents. Artemisia ketone was detected as a major constituent in both the populations i.e., Niti valley and Jhelum samples. Niti oil was found to have considerably greater amounts of artemesia ketone (53.34%) followed by α-thujone (9.91%) and 1,8-cineole (6.57%), Similarly, the first major compound in Jhelum oil was artemesia ketone (40.87%), whereas ar-curcumene (8.54%) was identified as a second major compound followed by α-thujone (4.04%). Artemisia ketone can be useful for perfumery and fragrance to introduce new and interesting herbaceous notes.

The variation of the berberine content in roots and stem bark of Berberis asiatica with altitude and edaphic conditions in the western Himalaya was estimated by HPLC. The comparative assessment revealed a significantly higher berberine content in roots than in stem barks. Moreover, the berberine content varied significantly with altitude and edaphic conditions both in root and stem bark samples. The populations growing at low altitude contained significantly more berberine than the ones growing at high altitude. Also the moisture and potassium (K) percentage of the soil significantly influenced the berberine content.

Background: Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipschitz, syn Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarke, one of the best-known species within this genus, is commonly known as costus. Due to the remarkable biological activity of S. costus and its constituents it will have an appropriate place in various systems of medicines all over the globe. Objective: The main aim is to study the volatile constituents of S costus cultivated in Uttarakhand Himalayas. Material and Methods: The volatile constituents were isolated from the root of S costus cultivated in Chamoli district of Uttrarakhand by hydro distillation and were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Results: A total 35 aroma compounds representing about 92.81% of the total composition were identified. Aldehyde like (7Z, 10Z, 13Z)-7, 10, 13-hexadecaterinal (25.5%) was found as a major compound including other ketones like dehydrocostus lactone (16.7%), alcohols like elemol (5.84%), γ-costol (1.80%), vulgarol B (3.14%), valerenol (4.20%), and terpinen-4-ol (1.60%), etc. Esters and acids were found to be completely absent in our samples. Conclusion: S. costus volatile oil constituents are superior in terms of total identified constituents. Where relative area quantum is higher in Uttarakhand Himalayas samples, when compared with those originated to China and Korea.