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Abstract

This study was aimed to identify the possible bioactive chemical constituents of the state tree of Rajasthan, i.e., Prosopis cineraria L. (locally called Khejri) by GC-MS analysis using the GC-MS equipment (Shimadzu GCMSQP2010). For this purpose, the ethanolic extract of P. cineraria pods were used. Experimental conditions of the GC-MS system were as follows: Rtx-5MS capillary standard non-polar column, dimension: 30m, ID: 0.25 mm, Film: 0.25 µm was used, and flow rate of mobile phase (carrier gas: He) was set at 1.0 ml/min. Crude samples that were dissolved in methanol were run fully at a range of 40-550 m/z, and the results were compared by using NIST Library. GC-MS analysis of an ethanolic extract of pods led to the identification of 32 compounds viz. Bicyclo[3.1.1]hept-3-ene, 4, 6, 6-trimethyl-2-vi (30.47%), 5-Isopropyl-2methylbicyclo [3.1.0] hexan-2-ol(19.38%), (-)-.beta. -Bourbonene (10.62%), 3-O-Methyl-d-glucose (5.04%), Kessane (4.01%), Thunbergol (3.65%), alfa.-Copaene (2.23%). There is not much information available on the phytochemical constituents of P. cineraria pods. This is the first attempt to investigate the GC-MS analysis of the ethanolic extract of this plant. INTRODUCTION:The P. cineraria (L) Druce belonging to the family Leguminosae is an important tree (Khejri-a local name in Rajasthan) of the Thar Desert with hard climatic adaptation and is considered as one of the lifelines in desert habitat as mentioned in ancient literature. This is a species representing all five F viz., Forest, Fiber, Fuel, Fodder, and Food. Pods of Khejri are eaten by cattle, sheep, horses, mules, donkeys, goats, camels, and other wildlife in the desert, especially blackbuck and chinkara in the western Rajasthan have survived by eating pods and leaves of this tree. This tree is also of mythological importance in local communities.