Abstract
More than twelve cultivars of Piper betle are reported in Sri Lanka but no chemical studies have been carried out on them. The present study describes the morphological, physic0 - chemical, chemical and antimicrobial activities of six main cultivars of P. betle Linn namely Galdalu, Malzamaneru, Kudamaneru, Ratadalu, Nagawalli and Malabulath. The chemical constituents identified in the essential oil of Malabulath by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) were different to those from the other cultivars. The major compound in Malabulath was allylpyrocatechol diacetate while that in all other cultivars categorized as common betel was safrole. Chemical compositions of the essential oil of t he leaf, stalk, stem, fruit and root were different. The major compounds in the leaf, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Matale and Galle are the main betel cultivating districts in the country. In Sri Lanka, more than twelve cultivars of betel have been recognized by the villagers but no systematic nomenclature and scientific classification of these cultivars are recorded. The objectives of the present study are to identify the different cultivars of betel found in Sri Lanka using morphological characters and chemical properties of the oil.(to assist a scientific classification of the different P. betle Linn. cultivars found in Sri Lanka). In most stem, stalk and root oil was safrole but in the fruit it was P- Of the the constituents depend on the phellandrene. The composition of the oil also varied with maturity and the part analysed. Hence in the maturity. The essential oil from common betel was active against Escherichia coli (NCTC 101481, Pseudomonas present study, the chemical constituents of the aeruginosa (NCTC 106621, Staphylococcus eprdermidis oils from different parts of the plant (NCTC 4276), Staphylococcus aureus ( NCTC 8532 ), and at different maturity levels were also Streptococcus pyrogens. The essential oil and the ethanol investigated. extract were also active against Cladosporium sp.
Highlights
Piper betle Linn. (Sinhala: Bulath; English: Betel vine) belongs to the genus Piper of the familyPiperaceae.l Over 700 species of plants belonging to the genus Piper are found distributed in both hemisphere^.^ Of these about 30 species have been recorded from 1ndia.l In Sri Lanka, 18 species are found and three are endemi ~ . ~P. betle Linn. is cultivated in Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippine Islands andEast Africa
In Sri Lanka, betel is commonly used as a cultural s y m b ~ l i s mThe
The objectives of the present study are to identify the different cultivars of betel found in Sri Lanka using morphological characters and chemical properties of the oil.(to assist a scientific classification of the different P
Summary
Piper betle Linn. (Sinhala: Bulath; English: Betel vine) belongs to the genus Piper of the family. Piperaceae.l Over 700 species of plants belonging to the genus Piper are found distributed in both hemisphere^.^ Of these about 30 species have been recorded from 1ndia.l In Sri Lanka, 18 species are found and three are endemi ~ . Betel leaves have been traditionally used for chewing purposes along with other condiments. The objectives of the present study are to identify the different cultivars of betel found in Sri Lanka using morphological characters and chemical properties of the oil.(to assist a scientific classification of the different P. In the present study, the chemical constituents of the oils from different parts of the plant a t different maturity levels were investigated. Found in India are reported' but no studies on the plants found in Sri Lanka are available. A study on the antimicrobial properties too was carried out
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