Chemotaxonomic Considerations of the n‐Alkane Composition in Pinus heldreichii, P. nigra, and P. peuce

Abstract

The n-alkane composition in the leaf cuticular waxes of natural populations of Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii), Austrian pine (P. nigra), and Macedonian pine (P. peuce) was compared for the first time. The range of n-alkanes was wider in P. nigra (C - C ) than in P. heldreichii and P. peuce (C - C ). Species also diverged in abundance and range of dominant n-alkanes (P. heldreichii: C , C , and C ; P. nigra: C , C , C , and C ; P. peuce: C , C , C , and C ). Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA, DA, and CA) generally pointed out separation of populations of P. nigra from populations of P. heldreichii and P. peuce (which were, to a greater or lesser extent, separated too). However, position of these species on the basis of n-alkane composition was in accordance neither with infrageneric classification nor with recent molecular and terpene investigations.

Cuticular Wax Variability of Abies alba, A.×borisii‐regis and A. cephalonica from the Balkans: Chemophenetic and Ecological Aspects

“…As far as we know, this study is the very first report on diversity and differentiation of wax compounds within the genus Abies at the population level. Regarding n ‐alkane composition, Nikolić et al [32] . showed an overlap of 14 populations of three Pinus species ( P. heldreichii , P. nigra and P. peuce ) in several multivariate statistical analyses, which is in agreement with our findings.…”

“…As far as we know, this study is the very first report on diversity and differentiation of wax compounds within the genus Abies at the population level. Regarding n-alkane composition, Nikolić et al [32] showed an overlap of 14 populations of three Pinus species (P. heldreichii, P. nigra and P. peuce) in several multivariate statistical analyses, which is in agreement with our findings. Once again, another type of phytochemical markers (terpenes) showed good grouping of populations within these Pinus species, positioning them in accordance with infrageneric classification.…”

“…According to the presented results, multivariate statistical analyses at the species level revealed a certain tendency of differentiation between A. alba and A. cephalonica . Similarly, Nikolić et al [32] . reported that, based on n ‐alkane composition, only the CDA at the species level showed clear differentiation of three Pinus species (although it positioned them without matches for infrageneric classification).…”

“…[12,13,16] According to the presented results, multivariate statistical analyses at the species level revealed a certain tendency of differentiation between A. alba and A. cephalonica. Similarly, Nikolić et al [32] reported that, based on n-alkane composition, only the CDA at the species level showed clear differentiation of three Pinus species (although it positioned them without matches for infrageneric classification). However, the fact that terpenes enabled delineation of aforementioned Abies [14,15] and Pinus [33] taxa at the population level, may lead to the conclusion that they are characterized by higher resolution and reliability in chemotyping certain conifer taxa in comparison to cuticular wax compounds.…”

Verification of Chromatographic Profile of Primary Essential Oil of Pinus sylvestris L. Combined with Chemometric Analysis

“…Pine trees are evergreen conifers belonging to the genus Pinus of the family Pinaceae . The genus Pinus exhibits a taxonomical variety of about 115 species and occurs mainly in the northern hemisphere [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Needles and twigs are source of pine essential oils (EOs), used to treat respiratory infections based on their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant and analgesic potential [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”