Research Projects

India’s rich biodiversity is undoubtedly due to the immense variety of climatic and altitudinal variations coupled with varied ecological habitats. The Western Ghats is a major Centre of biodiversity in India that covers only 5% of India’s total geographical area, but harbours about 27% of the country’s plant species. A total of 7400 flowering plant species are so far reported in the Western Ghats, of which 2100 species are endemic. Many endemic plants are economically significant. Although much attention is given to the studies on endemic species on various aspects, still a great lacuna in the study of distribution pattern, assessment of population size, population fragmentation, threat status, inter and intra specific diversity, including the chemical diversity of many endemic species. Pogostemon is an aromatic genus in Lamiaceae. India has a rich diversity and highest number of Pogostemon species in the world. Of the about 100 species distributed globally, 58 species occur in India, of which 23 are endemic. The diversity of Pogostemon in the Western Ghats is very remarkable and 38 taxa are distributed in this region. The proposal has emerged from the PI’s preliminary investigations on Pogostemon species. Pogostemon speciosus is endemic to the southern Western Ghats. Preliminary study on the chemical composition of essential oil of this species shows high content of -bisabolol (up to 72%). -Bisabolol is widely used in cosmetic products such as skin care products and fragrances. It has been reported in the essential oils of Chamomilla recutita (chamomile oil), Eremanthus erythropappus, Marrubium vulgare and Phoebe porosa. Although -bisabolol is sourced from E. erythropappus by some pharmaceutical industries, major portion of it is sourced from chamomile plant. -Bisabolol and -bisabolol oxides A and B in chamomile oil are preferred by cosmetic industries. However, Schultz (2003) revealed that for pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, chamomile oil with highest -bisabolol and very low bisabolol oxides are preferred. Since, the essential oil of P. speciosus has high content of -bisabolol, it could be utilized for development of pharmaceutical and cosmetics products after further research. Chemical composition of plant species are subjected to change with its changing climatic and altitudinal variations. It is imperative to understand the intraspecific chemical diversity and pattern of chemical variations in different seasons and altitudes in any species before its utilization or for further studies. Apart from its natural habitats, the performance of the species in terms of growth and chemical composition under cultivation is also vitally important. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the chemical diversity in P. speciosus in different seasons and altitudes. Further the essential oil yields and compositions under cultivation also need to be studies. Therefore, the present proposal is conceptualized with the mentioned objectives.