Compositional Analysis of Volatile Compounds of Paspangiri - A Mixture of Leaves of Five Rutaceae Plants Used as an Effective Remedy for Respiratory System Microbial Infections in Traditional Systems of Medicine

Steaming with aromatic poly herbal formulations has been practiced as an effective treatment for curing or controlling infectious diseases, deterring of pest species, destroying of unwanted microbial contaminations by several cultures. Steaming of Pasppangiri, a mixture of leaves of five species (Citrus aurantium Linn, Citrus aurantifolia (Christm. & Panzer) Swingle, Citrus sinensis Linn, Atlantia ceylanica (Am.) Oliver, Citrus reticulata Blanco) has been used for an effective treatment for curing of microbial infected, respiratory system related diseases. However, information on volatile compounds, compositional analysis of Paspangiri is lacking or scattered. Leaves of five citrus species were collected from previously authenticated plants grown in same soil and climatic conditions. Essential oil was separated by hydro distillation method. The chemical composition of the essential oil of Paspangiri was analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results revealed that the number of compounds observed in each species were varied as Citrus sinensis (27)>aurantium (25) >Citrus reticulata (20)>Citrus aurantifolia (19)>Atlantia ceylanica (5) respectively. The major bioactive molecules identified in essential oils of Paspangiri such as linalool, limonene, caryophyllene, eugenol, z-citral, ∞- pinene, sabinene, and myrcene, either singularly or as a mixture have been exhibited antimicrobial properties. Therefore, the present study, partially validate the traditional claims of inhaling of Paspangiri steam for prevention or curing of infectious disease.