Chemoprofile of tvakpatra; leaves of Cinnamomum verum J.S. Presl

Introduction: Substitution of Cinnamomum tamala (tamalapatra) with similar looking leaves of other Cinnamomum species is frequent among the people who use this spice in their food. On account of characteristic flavor, leaves of Cinnamomum verum are in use as spice among the indigenous people living throughout Western Ghats. To differentiate and to establish the identity of any article of plant origin, a thorough chemical fingerprint profile is vital. This investigation is an attempt to fingerprint the chemical properties and composition of a Cinnamon derived leaf spice - C. verum. Methods: Leaves from plants of C. verum growing wildly in South Canara district were collected and subjected to physico-chemical, HPTLC and GC-MS analysis. Results: Physico-chemical standards, HPTLC fingerprint and essential oil composition of wild C. verum used as spice were derived. While physico-chemical constants will serve the purpose of standardisation, volatile oil composition will be a diagnostic test for the identification and differentiation of leaves of C. verum from C. tamala. Conclusion: Chemical fingerprint profile of C. verum has been established for the identification and differentiation of this species from tamalapatra.