Analysis ofJuniperus communis subsp.alpina needle, berry, wood and root oils by combination of GC, GC/MS and13C-NMR

Abstract

The essential oils from needles, berries, wood and roots of Juniperus communis L. subsp. alpina were obtained by hydrodistillation, fractionated on column chromatography and analysed by GC, GC-MS and 13 C-NMR. Chemical compositions of wood and root oils are reported here for the first time. Eighty-two, 65, 76 and 54 components were identified, respectively, in needle, berry, wood and root oils. The chemical compositions of the essential oils from needles, berries and wood were characterized by a high proportion of monoterpene hydrocarbons. Root oil exhibited a quite different composition. Sesquiterpenes, especially those bearing a tricyclic skeleton (cedrane and longifolane), constituted the main fraction while monoterpenes were present at very low contents.

HS‐SPME/GC Analysis Reveals the Population Variability of Terpene Contents in Juniperus communis Needles

“…Sesquiterpenes constituted ca. 8.5% of [30], and lower than that reported by Angioni et al [10]. Nevertheless, the comparison of the results with the data of other groups is not direct.…”

“…The most variable compounds (with highest SD values) from the main components listed above were sabinene and d-3-carene. Besides a-pinene and sabinene, various studies mention limonene [30] [32], bphellandrene, d-cadinene [13] [30], and terpinene-4-ol [10] [15] as the major compounds of juniper needles.…”

A contribution to the vascular plant flora of Lower Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir, India)

“…Juniper stands also provide ecosystem services to the local Himalayan communities, including wood for fuel and construction, shelter, ethnomedicinal products, and recreational and ecotourism value (Gonny et al 2006;Ozkan et al 2010;N€ usser and Schmidt 2017). Juniperus contributes significantly to the livelihoods of poor and remote mountain populations, who face harsh climatic conditions and lack alternative fuel and energy resources.…”

Characterization of the essential oil from cone-berries of Juniperus communis L. (Cupressaceae)

“…Using GC/FID and GC/MS assays, 70 compounds were identified in the essential J. communis oil, although, some reports claim that there are more than 100 chemical compounds [23]. The composition of the essential oil varies upon origin of berries but consists mainly of monoterpene hydrocarbons (about 60% of the essential oil).…”