Effect of different altitudinal zones on essential oil composition of Wild curry leaves (Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng) from central western ghat forests

Freshly matured wild curry leaves (Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng) were collected from the forests of the central western ghat region at three different altitudes [zone A (634-645 m), zone B (577-585 m) and zone C (509-520 m)], and were subjected to hydro distillation. Essential oil was analyzed with the help of GC-MS for quality parameters. These major components have a vital role in industrial application and these volatiles vary with different altitudes (all other climatic parameters will change according to altitude). Total of 21-30 components were identified. α-pinene (2.39-41.52%), geranyl acetate (0.52-22.20%), β-pinene (1.1.-11.98%), linalool (2.33-11.44%), caryophyllene oxide (0.66-11.06%), d-limonene (0.81-8.59%), borneol (1.03-8.14%), α-terpineol (0.52-8.06%), and (-)-globulol (1.27-6.43%) are the major components from the leaf essential oil of M. koenigii. The Majority of monoterpene hydrocarbons showed a decreasing trend with an increase in the altitude, and sesquiterpenes showed an increasing trend with an increase in altitude. On the other hand, oxygenated compounds were absent in low-altitude but detected in high-altitude zones.