GC-MS analysis of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) bark essential oil under hill zone of Karnataka

Cinnamomum verum, commonly known as true cinnamon, is an economically important spice widely used in food, pharmaceutical and industrial applications due to its bioactive compounds. The present study aims to analyse the chemical composition of C. verum bark essential oil cultivated in the hill zone of Karnataka using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 24 different compounds were identified, with (E)-cinnamaldehyde (29.40%), linalool (11.71%), acetic acid cinnamyl ester (11.50%) and caryophyllene (11.49%) as the predominant constituents. Comparative analysis with existing literature highlights significant variations in essential oil composition based on geographical origin, plant parts and environmental factors. These findings provide crucial insights into the phytochemical diversity of C. verum, contributing to its standardization for medicinal, culinary and industrial applications. Further in-vivo and clinical studies are necessary to explore its full therapeutic potential.