<b>Comparative chemical study of two varieties of attractive medicinal plant <i>Kaempferia galanga</i> Linn. </b>

Abstract

‘Kasthuri’<i> </i>and<i> </i>‘Rajani’ varieties<i> </i>of medicinal and ornamental plant <b><i>Kaempferia galanga</i></b> <b>Linn.</b> differ morphologically. The essential oils from their rhizomes have remarkably different specific gravities, refractive indices, saponification and iodine values. These oils also differ sufficiently in their chemical compositions. A total no. of 58 and 56 compounds have been identified in ‘Kasthuri’ and ‘Rajani’, respectively. Thirteen compounds are identified in the rhizome oil of ‘Kasthuri’ that are not present in the rhizome oil of ‘Rajani’<i style=""> </i>and another 11 compounds identified in ‘Rajani’ oil are not present in ‘Kasthuri’ oil. Forty-five compounds have been found common in both oils but their percentages differ in the two varieties.<i style=""> </i>Similarly major component, ethyl-trans- <i>p</i>-methoxycinnamate is present in both the varieties, its percentage varies (39 and 35%, respectively).