Dynamics of Isomeric and Enantiomeric Fractions of Pinene in Essential Oil of Picea abies Annual Needles during Growing Season

Abstract

Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) is one of the most important commercial tree species distributed naturally in the Boreal and subalpine forest zone of Europe. All parts of spruce trees, including needles, accumulate essential oils with a variety of chemical properties and ecological functions, such as modulating plant–insect communication. Annual needle samples from 15 trees (five from each of three habitats) of 15–17 years old were assayed for essential oils and their major compounds, including α-pinene, β-pinene, (1S)-(−)-α-pinene, and (1R)-(+)-α-pinene across a growing season. Results showed strong positive correlation between percentages of α- and β-pinene isomers (r = 0.69, p < 0.05) and between pinene isomers and essential oils: α-pinene correlated with essential oil stronger (r = 0.62, p < 0.05) than β-pinene (r = 0.33, p < 0.05). Correlation analyses performed with some weather conditions, including average monthly temperature, growing sum of effective temperatures over 5 °C, duration of sunshine, accumulated precipitation, relative humidity, and pressure, showed that temperature is the most important weather condition related to pinene dynamics: negative correlations of moderate strength were established between percentages of α- and β- pinenes and average monthly temperatures (r = −0.36, p < 0.01, n = 75 and r = −0.33, p < 0.01, n = 75, respectively). Out of pinene enantiomers, only (1S)-(−)-α-pinene showed some negative correlation with monthly temperature (r = −0.26, p < 0.05, n = 75). Different patterns of essential oil and pinene dynamics during growing season within separate habitats suggested that some genetic variables of Picea abies might be involved.

Variations in Essential Oils from South Siberian Conifers of the Pinaceae Family: New Data towards Identification and Quality Control

“…Large differences in enantiomeric composition of the chiral monoterpene hydrocarbons were found between the tissues [30] . Enantiomeric composition of monoterpenes in annual needles of Picea obovata was found to depend also on various factors during growing season [31] . Fungal inoculation significantly changed the enantiomeric composition of monoterpenes [32] .…”

“…[30] Enantiomeric composition of monoterpenes in annual needles of Picea obovata was found to depend also on various factors during growing season. [31] Fungal inoculation significantly changed the enantiomeric composition of monoterpenes. [32] Enantiomeric composition of αpinene varies considerably between trees of different genetic origin.…”

Volatile Compounds in Norway Spruce (Picea abies) Significantly Vary with Season

“…An important example of such a material is the branches of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst (Pinaceae), commonly known as European or Norway spruce, which is a tall essential-oil-bearing evergreen conifer used mostly for its wood [ 1 , 2 ]. P. abies accumulates volatile compounds in all parts of the plant, with the highest abundance in needles [ 3 ], which is also the least used part in the wood industry and the part of the plant with the largest volume [ 4 ]. Thus, in terms of sustainability, it is logical to exploit these needles for beneficial purposes.…”

Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Reveal Differences in Terpenoid and Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Cryptomeria fortunei Needles Across Different Seasons

“…For example, in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) (Bang et al, 2020), the maximum content of terpenes was observed in summer. Among most other conifers, such as white spruce (Pinus glauca) (von Rudloff, 1972), blue spruce (Pinus pungens) (von Rudloff, 1975), and Picea abies (Schnwitz et al, 1990;Kamaityt-Bukelskien et al, 2021), there is a similar seasonal pattern of variation in the number of terpenes. Similarly, flavonoids, such as anthocyanins, vary greatly across different seasons (Zhang et al, 2022).…”