Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T. Nees & Eberm.: An Alternative Source of Natural Linalool

The present study was carried out to investigate the chemical composition of essential oil in fresh leaves of Cinnamomum tamala. The leaves were subjected to hydro-distillation, and the oil extracted was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS). The essential oil comprises 15 components accounting for 100% of the oil. The GC-MS analysis of essential oil showed that L-linalool (66.85%) was the major component followed by cinnamaldehyde (14.62%). The other components were beta-terpinyl acetate (4.49%) and 2-propen-1-ol, 3-phenyl-, acetate (4.51%). Linalool is in high demand for its use in fragrance and flavor industries. Facilitation of cultivation and marketing of medicinal plants in the Uttarakhand state by government and high demand of natural linalool by pharmaceutical industries and higher concentration of linalool content in C. tamala essential oil grown in Uttarakhand create an opportunity for the state to emerge as a resource center for the production of natural L-linalool and to get monetary benefits from it.