Differential Accumulation of Volatile Organic Compounds by Leaves and Roots of Two Guianese Philodendron Species, P.fragrantissimum Kunth and P.melinonii Brongn.

Abstract

Leaf and root essential oils of two closely related but ecologically distant Philodendron species were extracted in natural conditions in French Guiana and analysed by GC/MS to i) describe the blends of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by those species and ii) analyse species and environment-based variations in extracts composition. A total of 135 VOCs were detected with a majority of aliphatic sesquiterpenes. P.fragrantissimum produced mainly β-bisabolene (on average 29.12% of the extract) as well as α- and β-selinene (14.52% and 17.50%, respectively) while in P.melinonii, four aliphatic sesquiterpenes could alternatively be the main component: (E)-β-farnesene (up to 91.42% of the extract), germacrene-D (73.74%), β-caryophyllene (51.63%) and trans-α-bergamotene (41.26%). A significant effect of species and organs on extracts composition was observed while the environment (sun exposure) only affected the relative proportions of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in roots of P.melinonii. These results are discussed in the light of the potential role of leaf and root terpenes in Philodendron species.