Comparative Phytochemical Analysis of Curcuma aromatica, C. aeruginosa and C. angustifolia.

Curcuma, species of Family Zingiberaceae valued economically due to medicinal and commercial properties ; three species of which viz., Curcuma aromatica, C. aeruginosa and C. angustifolia was analysed for phytochemical components. The specimens were collected from Wayanad, Kerala selecting one of the most fertile regions of the state. The rhizome was used for analysis using GC-MS method. Various components were identified that are of much significance in regard to medicinal properties. The study showed variations in the components within the species as compared with earlier works that point to geographical or related stress variations or can be accounted for development of chemotypes. The common phytoconstituents of the three species identified were camphor, germacrone and curzerene. A survey of the biological properties of these compounds specifically shows the three species can be synergistically utilised as ecofriendly weedicide or more particularly, Curcuma angustifolia that has high content of camphor, germacrone and curzerene with potential inhibitory properties.