A Study on the Distribution Characteristics of Terpene at the Main Trails of Mt. Mudeung

Abstract

Objectives: A great number of people visit forests for their bountiful healing factors. We investigated the quantity of terpene and analyzed the correlations with meteorological and environmental factors at Mt. Mudeung in order to support public health. Methods: The terpene amounts were investigated along 11 main trails using stainless steel tube packed by Tenax TA (150 mg) and Carbopack B (130 mg) during March to November 2012. Terpene amounts of 20 species (αpinene, camphene, etc.), and meteorological and environmental factors were investigated in the field. Results: Terpene of 16 species was released from the forest and total terpene amounts were 2,080 pptv at the site of Chamaecyparis obtusa, the highest among 11 sites, nearby the first reservoir on Mt. Mudeung. Terpene concentrations in the forest were nine to 23 times higher than found in urban areas. Total terpene amounts had positive correlations with temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and oxygen (p < 0.01) with R 2 of 0.345, 0.369, 0.591, 0.145, respectively, from April to July. Wind speed and solar radiation in the forest had a negative correlation with terpene amounts and showed statistical insignificance with p-values of 0.118 and 0.233, respectively. Conclusions: This study suggests that the amounts of terpene around Mt. Mudeung are indeed higher, so visitors may enjoy a therapeutic walk in the forest with a healing effect. These results showed the forest was very effective for improving human health.

Changes in the Abundance of Monoterpenes from Breathable Air of a Mediterranean Conifer Forest: When Is the Best Time for a Human Healthy Leisure Activity?

“…The three most abundant monoterpenes found in our study (α-pinene, β-pinene and limonene) coincide with the general abundance trends found in different conifer forests dominated by species from genus Pinus, Abies or Picea [38]. We also detected three additional monoterpenes, with less abundance in the study area (p-cymene, camphene and 1,8-cineole), but we did not detect two others (∆3-carene and myrcene) often mentioned in the literature [31,[39][40][41].…”

Terpenes from Forests and Human Health

“…Many of the terpenes are associated with not only the defense mechanism of the plant against herbivores and the environment ( 11 , 17 ) but also their developmental physiology ( 9 ). Korean forests mainly consist of various types of conifers, and many terpenes derived from them have been detected, such as α-pinene, β-pinene, camphor, camphene, sabinene, limonene, menthol, cymene, and myrcene ( 18 ). Conifer oleoresins contain monoterpenes (e.g., pinene and camphor) and diterpenes (e.g., taxadiene and phytane) as major components and sesquiterpenes (e.g., nerolidol and ( E )-α-bisabolene) as minor components ( 17 ).…”

Terpenes from Forests and Human Health

“…Many of the terpenes are associated with not only the defense mechanism of the plant against herbivores and the environment (11,17) but also their developmental physiology (9). Korean forests mainly consist of various types of conifers, and many terpenes derived from them have been detected, such as α-pinene, β-pinene, camphor, camphene, sabinene, limonene, menthol, cymene, and myrcene (18). Conifer oleoresins contain monoterpenes (e.g., pinene and camphor) and diterpenes (e.g., taxadiene and phytane) as major components and sesquiterpenes (e.g., nerolidol and (E)-α-bisabolene) as minor components (17).…”