Abstract
In Portugal, the pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, has been affecting Pinus pinaster, leading to economic and ecological losses, while P. pinea is a less susceptible species. The main goal of this study was to assess volatile composition of PWN-infected P. pinaster, and both non-infected P. pinaster and P. pinea branches, by using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction compared with solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Volatile profile was associated to nematodes number, which was related to moisture content. Extracts effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, and in vitro PWN-mortality were analyzed. Limonene was the main volatile naturally-emitted by P. pinea and by some PWN-infected P. pinaster samples. Abietadiene was identified in some PWN-infected P. pinaster extracts, which may be due to a tree defensive response. Supercritical CO2 extracted ∼5–20 heavier compounds than those identified by the SPME-GC/MS technique. Extracts revealed AChE inhibition, corresponding to a possible insecticidal/nematicidal effect. However, no PWN-mortality was found.
Highlights
The forest area corresponds to around 35 % of the continental Portuguese territory, with the pine area representing almost 1 million ha
The lowest values were achieved for the pinewood nematode (PWN)-infected P. pinaster samples (10–33 %), and a relationship between the PWN number and the moisture content appears to exist because the driest samples presented the highest PWN number (∼10 % of water content corresponded to thousands of PWN/ 100 g of wood), while the infected samples with ∼ 30 % humidity had lower PWN number
Volatile composition and supercritical kinetic profiles were achieved for PWN-infected and non-infected P. pinaster trees, as well as for P. pinea trees
Summary
The forest area corresponds to around 35 % of the continental Portuguese territory, with the pine area representing almost 1 million ha. Pinus pinaster is a coniferous tree native to the western Mediterranean basin, and it is found in other parts of central and southern Europe and in North Africa [3] This species has crucial importance for the Portuguese economy, with almost 2000 million D of forest-based products exportations per year [1], being widely used for furniture and construction, as well as in pulp and paper industries [2,4]. Pinus pinea is distributed near the Mediterranean basin, and abundant in south Western Europe, including Portugal This pine species is mostly known for its edible seeds, the pine nuts, which are economically important, being predominantly produced by Spain, Portugal and Italy. In Europe, P. pinaster and P. pinea trees are used for stabilization of dunes, slopes and near coastal areas [3,5]
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