Comparative Analysis of Volatile Terpenes and Terpenoids in the Leaves of <i>Pinus</i> Species—A Potentially Abundant Renewable Resource

• Main Authors: Wensu Ji, Xiaoyue Ji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: volatile terpenes and terpenoids; pine leaves resource; principal component analysis; cluster analysis; biodiversity
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/17/5244

<i>Pinaceae</i> plants are widely distributed in the world, and the resources of pine leaves are abundant. In the extensive literature concerning <i>Pinus</i> species, there is much data on the composition and the content of essential oil of leaves. Still, a detailed comparative analysis of volatile terpenes and terpenoids between different species is missing. In this paper, headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the volatile terpenes and terpenoids of typical <i>Pinus</i> species in China. A total of 46 volatile terpenes and terpenoids were identified, and 12 common compounds were found, which exhibited a great diversity in the leaves of <i>Pinus</i> species. According to the structures and properties of the compounds, all those compounds can be classified into four categories, namely monoterpenes, oxygenated terpenes, terpene esters, and sesquiterpenes. The results of principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed that the leaves of the six <i>Pinus</i> species could be divided into two groups. The species and contents of volatile terpenes and terpenoids in the leaves were quite different. The results not only provide a reference for the utilization of pine leaves resource, but also bring a broader vision on the biodiversity.