Locational comparison of essential oils from selected conifers of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

<p>Nine samples of essential oil from needles of three conifers of Pinacea family namely <i>Abies pindrow</i>, <i>Picea smithiana</i> and <i>Cedrus deodara</i> collected from three different locations of Himachal Pradesh (India) were evaluated using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 31, 17 and 13 compounds were identified from essential oil of <i>A</i>. <i>pindrow</i>, <i>P</i>. <i>smithiana</i> and <i>C</i>. <i>deodara</i>, respectively. Among the characterised components, monoterpenoid hydrocarbons were predominated. <i>α</i>-Pinene, <i>β</i>-pinene, <i>β</i>-merycene, limonene and camphene were characterised as major components. Oil of <i>C</i>. <i>deodara</i> has significant effect of location on its oil composition. Principle component analysis on gas chromatographic data reveals variation in chemical composition which may be attributed to altitude and environmental conditions.</p