Analysis of Biomedical Components of Camellia oleifera Leaf and Kernel Hull by GC/MS

Abstract

Abundant leaves and kernel hulls of Tea-oil tree (Camellia oleifera) are still underutilized and wastefully abandoned to pollute environment. In order to solve this problem and better utilize the leaves and kernel hulls of C. oleifera, we used GC/MS technology to analyze the top value-added bioactive constituents of their benzene/ethanol extractives. After treated with freeze-drying, the fresh leaves and kernel hulls were extracted fully in benzene/ethanol, respectively, and then the two extractives were analyzed by online linked GC/MS. Relative content of each component was determined by area normalization. There are 25 components identified in the leaf extractive, and the main constituents are butyraldehyde,semicarbazone (11.58%), hexatriacontane (8.04%), 1,6-anhydro-.beta.-D-glucopyranose, (7.54%), octadecane (7.53%), benzeneacetic acid,4-hydroxy-(6.59%), 1,3-dioxolane,4-ethyl-5-hexyl-2,2-bis(trifluoro methyl)-,cis-(6.53%), etc. The extractive of kernel hull also contains abundant constituents identified as: 2-furancarboxaldehyde,5-(hydroxymethyl)-(32.37%), 1,3-propanediol,2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-(28.34%), 1,2,3-benzenetriol (15.10%), etc. As the first report here, the analytical result by GC/MS showed that the benzene/ethanol extractives of both leaf and kernel hull of C. oleifera contain abundant components of rare natural medicinal materials, and also contain many components which can be developed into two value-added materials of high-grade cosmetic, bioenergy, and industrial solvent.