Volatile oil profiles of aerial and underground plant parts of Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae) grown in Goa, India

Abstract

Annona muricata Linn illustrates an extensive spectrum of ethno-pharmacological applications. The biogenic occurrence of essential oils along with other active metabolites is responsible for the bio-active functionalities offered by various plant parts of A. muricata. Owing to considerable intra-species and intra-organ diversity in essential oil compositions; the objective of this study was to validate and assess the volatile oil profiles of A. muricata plant parts cultivated in Goa, India. The essential oils were derived by hydro-distilling pulverized dried-plant samples namely rind, pulp, seed, leaf, bark and roots using glass Clevenger- type device. The quantity of essential oil yield varied substantially, depending on the plant organs from which the samples were isolated. GC/MS chemical profiling of plant organs revealed largest proportion of Gamma-sitosterol (28.76 percent), (Z)-11-hexadecenal, 1-chlorononadecane and Alpha-gurjunene in pulp, seed, bark and root essential oils respectively. Phytol, on the other hand, was the most prevalent essential oil component in both the rind (47.16 percent) and the leaf (37.7 percent). Whereas, the sole volatile found in all plant parts analysed was Beta-caryophyllene with greatest proportion in roots trailed by leaf and lowest in seed. Essential oils were found in significantly diverse amounts and sorts in various parts of A. muricata, including the rind, pulp, seed, leaf, bark, and root. Cluster analysis of essential oil composition from six different plant sections revealed major chemical heterogeneity, with rind-leaf and pulp-root developing a comparatively good relationship. Thus, the present study indicates that the essential oils isolated from various organs of A. muricata form a unique amalgam of bioactive metabolites that could be used as a potential medicinal source.