Abstracto

Volatile oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. rhizomes

Shamim Ahmad, Mohd. Ali, Shahid H.Ansari

Hydrodistilled volatile oil obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. (Zingiberaceae) analyzed byGC and GC-MS was composed mainly of ar-turmerone (58.9%) followed by bicyclogermacrene (11.7%), (E)-2-hexenal (5.3%), ã-himachalene (4.0 %), its isomer (3.8 %), caryophyllene oxide (3.4 %) and valencene (3.2 %).Among 16 sesquiterpenes consisting 91.6%, the prominent sesquiterpenes were ar-turmerone (58.9 %), bicyclogermacrene (11.7 %) and ã- himachalene (4.0 %). Total five monoterpenes (3.3%) were present in the oil including four hydrocarbons (2.3 %) and one alcohol (1.0 %). About 13 components occurred in trace amounts in the oil. The volatile oil and ethanolic extract of the rhizomes showed significant antimicrobial activity.