Comparative Analysis of Phytoncides Released from Liquidambar formosana Hance Trees and Seedlings

This study compared the phytoncides released from Liquidambar formosana Hance forest trees and its seedlings with volatile compounds present in the essential oil. Thirteen volatile compounds were identified in the essential oil of L. formosana. The main components were: α-pinene (40.9%), β-pinene (24.8%), D-limonene (18.3%), α-phellandrene (8.9%), and terpinen-4-ol (8.1%). Using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), we found that D-limonene (29.5%) was the dominant compound emitted from seedling leaves, followed by α-pinene (21.4%), β-pinene (19.2%), myrcene (10.7%), and α-terpinene (6.1%). Temperature influenced the emission of phytoncides from seedlings. The emission of volatiles increased as the temperature increased from 25°C to 35°C, with maximum emission of volatiles at 35°C. In the L. formosana forest, regardless of whether sampling was conducted close to or far from waterfall sites; α-pinene was the most abundant compound in the atmosphere. In addition to α-pinene, α-thujene, β-pinene, myrcene, and D-limonene were also detected at the forest sites both close to and far from waterfalls. We conclude from the data that walking in the L. formosana forest breathing the phytoncides emitted from the trees may worthy of investigation for stress management, relaxation, and general regulation of health.