Assessment of growth and essential oil profiling in leafy coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) genotypes

Coriander is a versatile plant prized for its dual role as a culinary spice and a medicinal herb. Leafy coriander, an herbaceous plant, is particularly noted for its rich content of bioactive compounds, such as essential oils, flavonoids, and vitamins. The experiment was conducted at the Department of Spices and Plantation Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. A study was conducted using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two replications, focusing on critical growth and yield traits. Among the fifteen genotypes evaluated, the CSL1 genotype illustrates superior performance in various growth and yield parameters. Coriander leaves are extensively studied for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, underscoring their significance in nutritional and medicinal contexts. In this research, coriander leaf oil was extracted and analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine its chemical composition. The GC-MS analysis identified 60 distinct compounds in the essential oil, with the major constituents being 3-dimethylamino acrylonitrile, trans-2-Dodecen-1-ol, Cyclooctane, Decanal, 13-Octadecenal, 9-Decen-1-yl acetate and 2-Propen-1-amine. These results offer valuable insights into the unique chemical profile of coriander leaf oil, contributing to its distinctive aroma and potential applications in flavouring fragrance and therapeutic formulations.