Comprehensive phytochemical exploration of red, sweet and sour tamarind genotypes through GC-MS analysis

Tamarind fruit pulp is a significant spice and flavouring agent used in various cuisines worldwide. Tamarind pulp has potential therapeutic value due to the presence of numerous bioactive components and widely utilized in preparation of different Ayurvedic medicines for treating the different illness. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the phytochemical constituents in the fruit pulp of different phenotypic variants of red, sweet and sour Tamarind clones. The Tamarind fruits were collected from the Tamarind germplasm bank at the ICFRE-Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding and subjected to phytochemical and GC-MS analysis. The Tamarind clones IFGTBTI-4, IFGTBRT-4 and IFGTBST-5 were subjected to GC-MS analysis. The methanol extract of fruit pulp was analysed by GCMS for identify the bioactive component present in the different phenotypic variants of Tamarind. The GCMS analysis revealed 22 components in sour Tamarind, 18 components in red Tamarind and 22 components in sweet Tamarind. The most important bioactive compounds present in all the Tamarind types are myo-inositol, 4-Cmethyl-, L-(+)-ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate, and 2-furancarboxaldehyde, 5-(hydroxymethyl) and also the components such as ?-calacorene, gammasitosterol and levoglucosenon. Therapeutic potential, including antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral and anticancer properties. The findings contribute to the pharmacological validation of Tamarind extracts and to supporting their utility in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. This study highlights Tamarind's role as a source of natural bioactive compounds with significant health benefits, emphasizing its potential in the development of new therapeutic agents and supplements based on sustainable, bio-based chemicals.