Chemo-Divergence in Essential Oil Composition among Thirty One Core Collections of <i>Ocimum sanctum</i> L. Grown under Sub-Tropical Region of Jammu, India

Abstract

Evaluation of thirty one core collections of Ocimum sanctum L . synonyms O . tenuiflorum L . collected from different ecological regions representing contrasting environment of India was carried out. All the collections were grown under sub-tropical region of Jammu, India. Study revealed wide range of variability in quantitive and qualitative attributes of oil. Essential oil content ranged between 0.16 % ± 0.01% - 0.55% ± 0.08 % showing the presence of fifteen constituents. Methyl eugenol (1.54% - 93.16%) and Eugenol (0.06% - 70.41%), were the major constituent . The other major con stituent of the oil was β -Caryophyllene (4.60% - 33.77%) which was detected in almost all the collections . Borneol, Copane, α Caryophyllene were other constituents detected in almost all the accessions. α selinene was detected in traces in only three accessions (OS-01, OS-03, OS-50) and β -selinene was detected in four accessions (OS-01, OS-03, OS-50, OS-72. Accession OS - 70 collected from Patna, showed distinct chemical profile having β -Elemene (32.81%), β -Cary - ophyllene (16.37%), Germacrene-D (18.05%), β -Ocimene (17.69%) and Copane (5.738%). Being distinct in oil profil ing, Patna collection was designated as distinct chemotype. Collections OS - 50 from Gwalior from Central India and OS - 59 from Rajkot Western India have been identified as methyl eugenol (93.16%) and eugenol (70.41%) rich geno - types. The data collected provided useful information with respect to composition of essential oil among core collection evaluated representing various agro-climatic zones.