Identification of a Novel Myrcene and Methyl iso-Eugenol Rich Essential Oil Variant (Jor Lab L-11) of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus L.)

Abstract

Cymbopogon flexuous of the family Poaceae is a highly valued grass known throughout the world for its aromatic properties. The objective of the study is to identify novel myrcene and methyl iso-eugenol rich essential oil variety of lemongrass. Myrcene is an earthy, spicy, clove fragrance commonly used in the culinary and perfume industry while methyl iso-eugenol has a typical sweet-warm, spicy- clove, woody, floral odour mostly used in perfume industries. In the present study, a total of 230 lemongrass accessions were collected from different regions of North East India which were planted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at experimental farms of CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, during the year 2015. Morphological and essential oil quality data were recorded during the studied the year 2015-16 and 2016-17. Based on two years of selection trial data a high myrcene and methyl iso-eugenol rich essential oil line was identified and named as Jor Lab L-11. The identified line was planted along with two checked varieties at four different locations during the year 2017-18. The average essential oil yield of the Jor Lab L- 11 for the multi-location trial was 0.58 % and contained an average of 48.02 % and 39.11 % myrcene and methyl iso-eugenol respectively as major component in the essential oil. Myrcene and methyl iso-eugenol percentage, essential oil percentage, tillers/plant were significantly higher in the identified variety compared to check varieties. GC/MS data obtained from essential oil leaf Jor Lab L- 11 essential oil showed limonene, elemicin, β-pinene, citronellol, α-pinene, neryl acetate, linalool, methyl eugenol, geranyl acetate, geraniol, citral b, citronellal, citral a, α-terpineol, nerol, eucalyptol, caryophyllene oxide, 2-methylbicyclo[4.3.0]non-1(6)-ene, m-camphorene, camphor, diepi-cubenol, T-cadinol, anethole and epi-α-murulol as minor compounds.