Sciadopitys verticillata Resin: Volatile Components and Impact on Plant Pathogenic and Foodborne Bacteria

Abstract

Sciadopitys verticillata (Sv) produces a white, sticky, latex-like resin with antimicrobial properties. The aims of this research were to evaluate the effects of this resin (Sv resin) on bacterial populations and to determine the impact of its primary volatile components on bioactivity. The impact of sample treatment on chemical composition of Sv resin was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) coupled with principal component analysis. The presence and concentration of volatiles in lyophilized resin were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Changes in bacterial population counts due to treatment with resin or its primary volatile components were monitored. Autoclaving of the samples did not affect the FTIR spectra of Sv resin; however, lyophilization altered spectra, mainly in the CH and C=O regions. Three primary bioactive compounds that constituted >90% of volatiles (1R-α-pinene, tricyclene, and β-pinene) were identified in Sv resin. Autoclaved resin impacted bacterial growth. The resin was stimulatory for some plant and foodborne pathogens (Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. syringae, and Xanthomonas perforans) and antimicrobial for others (Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and Erwinia amylovora). Treatment with either 1R-α-pinene or β-pinene reduced B. cereus population growth less than did autoclaved resin. The complex resin likely contains additional antimicrobial compounds that act synergistically to inhibit bacterial growth.

The Biosynthesis of the Monoterpene Tricyclene in E. coli through the Appropriate Truncation of Plant Transit Peptides

“…Tricyclene, a tricyclic monoterpene, is a valuable product that naturally occurs in the essential oils of a number of plant species, such as Salvia aegyptiaca [3], Polyalthia suberosa [4], and Elettaria cardamomum [5]. It was reported that plant essential oils rich in tricyclene have antioxidant [5], antitumor [4], and antimicrobial [5][6][7] properties. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the essential oil derived from Agathis robusta bark, which is abundant in tricyclene, exhibits potential efficacy against COVID-19.…”

Analysis of Abietane-Type Diterpenoids from Baltic Amber Samples

“…8,15,17,20 The resin that became Baltic amber is generally accepted to have been produced by extinct pines of the family Sciadopityaceae. 13,[21][22][23][24] One species of this family is extant:…”

“…Sciadopitys verticillata (Thunberg) Siebold and Zuccarini, also known as the Japanese umbrella pine because it is an evergreen conifer with cladodes arranged in whorls, and is indigenous to Japan. 21,22,[25][26][27] S. verticillata produces a white resin that exhibits the aforementioned "Baltic shoulder" feature in IR spectra; 13,[21][22][23] furthermore, inclusions of cladodes characteristic of Sciadopityaceae have been found in samples of Baltic amber. 24 An unmet need exists for new chemical matter to target resistant bacterial infections, as well as inflammation and pain resulting from a variety of disease modalities; however, identification of new therapeutic scaffolds remains nontrivial.…”