Studies on Variation in Essential Oil Content and Composition in Relation with Tree Girth of Cinnamomum tamala Nees. & Eberm. Grown in Uttarakhand Himalaya (India) Through GC-Fingerprinting

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the pattern of content (%) of major compounds in Cinnamomum tamala during three months (September, October and November) as affected by various tree girth (cm) of the tree. The average oil yields (%) varied between 0.20±0.05 to 1.20±0.20% during three months. GC-fingerprinting analysis revealed different trends in the concentration of principal constituents. A decreasing trend was shown in the concentration of linalool with the increase in girth sizes. Initially, linalool concentration increased from 26.36–30.18% (September), 22.52–23.29% (October) and 20.97–31.81% (November) upto the tree girth size of 66 cm, beyond which the contents were decreased. Cinnamaldehyde has shown throughout an increasing trend with the increase in tree girth. The contents increased from 10.56–69.62% (September), 24.34–70.43% (October) and 32.39–68.64% (November) with increasing tree girth from 26 to 186 cm, while an irregular pattern of occurrence of cinnamyl acetate (1.03–31.0%) was observed in the essential oils isolated from the leaves samples of different girth sizes (cm). The statistical analysis revealed that contents of linalool and cinnamaldehyde were significantly influenced by various tree girth. However, there was no significant influence of girth size was found on the contents of other compounds.