Comparative Study of Chemical Composition of Two Cultivars of German Chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla L. syn Chamomilla recutita L. Rauschert

Abstract

German chamomile otherwise known as Matricaria chamomilla L. syn Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert is widely used in herbal teas and cosmetics given its outstanding antioxidant properties. Two released cultivars of German chamomile viz. ‘CIM-Sammohak’ and ‘CIM-Ujjwala’ were chemically profiled to investigate the constitutional makeup of their aerial parts, flowers, leaves, and roots collected during the flowering season. The whole aerial part and then the aerial part inclusive of flowers harvested 50 cm above ground level were investigated separately to note the differences in the chemical composition due to the flowers. The oils from the flowers of CIM-Sammohak were also chemically distinguished using hydro distillation and steam distillation methods. α-bisabolone oxide A, α-bisabolol oxide A, and α-bisabolol oxide B were higher in the flowers using hydro distillation method while the concentrations of α-(E, E)-farnesene, germacrene D, and (E)-β-farnesene increased on using steam distillation technique for flowers essential oil extraction. α-bisabolol oxide A (0.1 %-41.9 %), α-bisabolone oxide A (2.1%-28.3%), (E)-β-farnesene (1.0%-39.6%), and α-bisabolol oxide B (1.5 %-16.6 %) were identified to be the major compounds in all the oils of CIM-Sammohak whereas the oils of CIM-Ujjwala revealed entirely different composition dominant of acetylenic molecules viz. (2Z,8Z)-matricaria ester (60.1%-81.9%) and (2E,8Z)-matricaria ester (1.5%-7.2%). The flower yield of CIM- Sammohak was higher compared to CIM-Ujjwala; and it is highly demanded in the market for its dry flower and essential oils. However, the CIM-Ujjwala is suitable as source of bioactive (2Z,8Z)-matricaria ester useful in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.