Analysis of Floral Fragrance Compounds of Chimonanthus praecox with Different Floral Colors in Yunnan, China

Liubei Meng,Rui Shi,Qiong Wang,Shu Wang

doi:10.3390/separations8080122

Abstract

In order to better understand the floral fragrance compounds of Chimonanthus praecox belonging to genus Chimonanthus of Chimonanaceae in Yunnan, headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze these compounds from four C. praecox plants with different floral colors. Thirty-one types of floral fragrance compounds were identified, among which terpenes, alcohols, esters, phenols, and heterocyclic compounds were the main compounds. Interestingly, the floral fragrance compounds identified in the flowers of C. praecox var. concolor included benzyl acetate, α-ocimene, eugenol, indole, and benzyl alcohol. By contrast, the floral fragrance compounds β-ocimene, α-ocimene, and trans-β-ocimene were detected in C. praecox var. patens. Cluster analysis showed that C. praecox var. concolor H1, H2, and C. praecox var. patens H4 were clustered in one group, but C. praecox var. patens H3 was individually clustered in the other group. Additionally, principal component analysis showed that α-ocimene, benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, cinnamyl acetate, eugenol, and indole were the main floral fragrance compounds that could distinguish the four C. praecox with different floral colors in Yunnan. This study provides a theoretical basis for further elucidating the mechanism and pathway of the floral fragrance release of C. praecox.

Highlights

Chimonanthus praecox (L.) Link, belonging to the genus Chimonanthus of Chimonanaceae, is primarily distributed in the south, central, east, southwest, and northwest of China [1]
PCA showed that α-ocimene, benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, cinnamyl acetate, eugenol, and indole were the main factors distinguishing C. praecox in Yunnan. β-Ocimene is the main floral fragrance compound in C. praecox [19]
31 floral fragrance compounds were identified in different C. praecox with different floral colors in Yunnan, among which terpenes, alcohols, esters, phenols, and heterocyclic compounds were the main floral fragrance compounds

Summary

Introduction

Chimonanthus praecox (L.) Link, belonging to the genus Chimonanthus of Chimonanaceae, is primarily distributed in the south, central, east, southwest, and northwest of China [1]. C. praecox has been widely used in landscaping and as cut flowers and bonsai materials [2,3]. It has important economic value in the tea kiln, essential oil, and cosmetics industries [4]. Floral fragrance, derived from volatile compounds in plants, is an important characteristic of C. praecox. Flower fragrance is useful for driving away herbivores [8,9], resisting pathogens [10], protecting flowers from harmful insects [11], attracting pollinators [12], communicating with other plants [13,14], treating diseases [15], improving esthetic value, attracting tourists [16], etc. Floral fragrances have important scientific and economic significance. Cultivating ornamental plants with floral fragrance has always been the goal of scientists

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Conclusion