Diversity of Essential Oils and the Respective Hydrolates Obtained from Three Pinus cembra Populations in the Austrian Alps

Johannes Novak,Remigius Chizzola,Felix Billiani,Stefan Singer

doi:10.3390/app11125686

Abstract

Pinus cembra, stone pine, is an Alpine coniferous tree rich in aromatic compounds. Twigs with needles are used commonly to produce essential oils for various purposes in pharmacy, food industry, and cosmetics. Hydrolates as byproducts of hydrodistillation encounter increasing interest owing to their aromatic properties. The variabilities in the compositions of essential oil and the related hydrolates are studied in samples from individual trees growing on three sites in the Austrian high mountain range. The essential oils have been obtained by steam distillation. All essential oils contained monoterpene hydrocarbons as main compounds, especially α-pinene (36–37%), β-phellandrene (27–30%), and β-pinene (7–9%). In contrast, the volatiles in the corresponding hydrolates were dominated by oxidized compounds as α-terpineol (28–34%), terpinen-4-ol (6–8%), and verbenone (6–7%). The pinene rich essential oils might be used in pharmacy as pinene containing oils from other Pinus species, while the hydrolates are of interest for cosmetics and other well-being promoting products.

Highlights

The pinene rich essential oils might be used in pharmacy as pinene containing oils from other Pinus species, while the hydrolates are of interest for cosmetics and other well-being promoting products
Pinus cembra L., Pinaceae, Swiss stone pine, or arrola pine, is an alpine evergreen coniferous tree distributed in Europe in the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains
While unripe cones are rich in essential oils (2.4–3.0%) the wood is very low in these compounds [10,13]

Summary

Introduction

Pinus cembra L., Pinaceae, Swiss stone pine, or arrola pine, is an alpine evergreen coniferous tree distributed in Europe in the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains. It grows in pure or mixed stands at high altitudes, 1500–2200 m, where it is well adapted to the alpine climate. Due to natural competition and human activities such as alpine farming and timber extraction, the distribution of P. cembra has been seriously compromised, which has led to a displacement to marginal habitats [2,3,4]. P. cembra is grown in parks and gardens as an ornamental tree

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Conclusion