Abstract

PHYSIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISATION OF ESSENTIAL OILS FROM POGOSTEMON BENGHALENSIS (BURM.F.) KUNTZE. AND P. CABLIN (BLANCO) BENTH.

Pradeep D. P.* and K. Murugan

Abstract

Pogostemon benghalensis and Pogostemon cablin belongs to the family Lamiaceae and are well known for their essential oil (Eos) content. Essential oils are volatile, hydrophobic liquid in nature with complex mixtures of terpenes and its derivatives biogenerated by the mevalonate pathway. The essential oils from the plants are used traditionally as well as for therapeutic purpose. The P. cablin is widely cultivated for the production of Patchouli oil and has got remarkable market value while P. benghalensis is an underexploited plant species. The essential oils from the fresh leaves of plants were isolated by hydro-distillation method using Clevenger type apparatus. 0.383% and 0.290% essential oils were obtained from Pogostemon benghalensis and P. cablin respectively. The Eos were subjected to various physiochemical analysis include colour, odour, viscosity, specific gravity, carbon residue, refractive index, optical rotation and acidic value. The significant result obtained in the physiochemical studies of essential oil, suggest the title plants for pharmaceutical, therapeutical and perfumery industries.

Keywords: Essential oils, Pogostemon, Hydrodistillation, Physiochemical, Specific gravity, Refractive Index.