Abstract:
The research work entitled ―Diversity analysis of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng in Kerala
through phytochemical and genetic profiling‖ was carried out at Phytochemistry and
Phytopharmacology Division, and Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Division of
KSCSTE-JNTBGRI, Palode, during 2019-2020.
Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng.is the leafy spice plant commonly known as curry leaf. The
plant, belonging to the family Rutaceae, is native to India, Sri Lanka and other South
Asian countries. It is widely used for culinary purposes and medicinal purposes in
Ayurveda. To find the diversity within species through phytochemical and genomic
analysis level, different accessions were collected from various biogeographical regions,
seasons and different maturity stages. The essential oil was isolated from the samples by
hydrodistillation using Clevenger type apparatus, and the oils were analyzed using GCMS.
The results show considerable variation in the oil yield in different seasons, maturity
stages and biogeography. Total oil yield varies from 0.10%v/w to 0.48%v/w. From this
study, the major compounds were identified as E-caryophyllene, β-phellandrene, E-β-
ocimene, α-humulene, α-selinene and α-pinene. Accession collected from Kannur was
distinct from other accessions in statistical analysis. Seasonal variation analysis revealed
that the oil yield was higher in the rainy season. Further, mature leaves possess a higher
amount of essential oil compared to younger leaves. Genetic diversity was checked by
isolating DNA from samples taken from various locations of Kerala and their diversity is
analyzed by SCoT Primer PCR amplification. The SCoT markers showed an average
of 92.96% polymorphism. This study provides a diversity profile of Murraya koenigii in
Kerala. It can be further elaborated by analyzing more number of plant samples and soil
samples from different places to develop a variety of high volatile content yield for
farmers.
