Sex-specific differences in Juniperus communis L.: essential oil yield, growth-defence conflict and population sex-ratio

Abstract In plants, biomass and nutrient allocation often generate trade-offs between the different biochemical pathways conflicting the utilization of the common source among growth, reproduction and chemical defence. However, in dioecious plant species, these trade-off patterns could appear as a more contrasted problem between males and females due to the dissimilar reproduction investment. Generally, the growth ratio is higher in males than females, while females have a stronger defence than males. To understand the possible role of the sex-specific dissimilarities within the growth-defence conflict framework, we investigated the possible causes of the high variance of the essential oil yield in a dioecious evergreen species, Juniperus communis. Specifically, we tested the correlations between the essential oil yield with other individual-specific traits (e.g., sex, age), the presence of the growth-defence trade-off, and the differential growth and survival patterns between males and females through an extensive field-survey with sample collection in three natural populations (Kiskunság National Park, Hungary). The individual-specific essential oil yield was also measured and served as a proxy to describe the degree of chemical defence. We found that the essential oil yield showed strong and consistent sex-specific patterns decreasing with age in adults. Contrary to the predictions, the males showed a consistently higher yield than the females. We also observed a growth-defence trade-off in males but not in females. Consistently with the growth-defence conflict hypothesis, the populations’ sex-ratio was male-biased, and this pattern was more evident with ageing modifying the demographic structure due to the sexually dissimilar lifespan. Our juniper study revealed a contrasting and unique essential oil accumulation driven by the complex allocation trade-off mechanisms within individuals, which could be a flexible and adaptive defence response against the increasing biotic and abiotic environmental stresses exacerbated under global climate change.

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Variation of Chemical and Morphological Characters of Leaves and Unripe Cones in Juniperus Communis

Botanica Lithuanica ◽

10.2478/botlit-2013-0005 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 37-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Vaida Vaičiulytė ◽

Kristina Ložienė

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Biosynthetic Pathway ◽

Soil Acidity ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Leaf Length ◽

Oil Yield ◽

Morphological Parameters ◽

Oil Accumulation ◽

Juniperus Communis ◽

Essential Oil Yield

Abstract The variation of content of essential oil and pinene isomers and morphological parameters of leaves and unripe cones in Juniperus communis L. was studied. Leaves and cones were collected separate from 110 J. communis individuals in 11 different habitats throughout Lithuania. Essential oils were analysed by capillary gas chromatography (GC). The study showed more intensive essential oil accumulation and higher intraspecific variation of essential oil amount in unripe cones than in leaves. Significant differences between α- and β- pinene amounts were observed in J. communis. β-Pinene was detected in much higher quantities than α-pinene. Positive correlation was detected between pinene isomers in cones and leaves (r = 0.44, p < 0.05 and r = 0.50, p < 0.05, respectively) of the same tree showing pinene isomers common biosynthetic pathway. Significant differences between populations were characteristic of J. communis according to leaf length, unripe cones mass and essential oil yield in leaves, however, significant correlation was established between essential oil yield of leaves and habitat illumination (r = -0.67, p < 0.05) and soil acidity (r = -0.80, p < 0.05) only.

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Fractionation of the essential oil from juniper (Juniperus ommunis L.) berries by hydrodistillation and rectification

Hemijska industrija ◽

10.2298/hemind161204009m ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 71 (6) ◽

pp. 471-477 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Miljana Markovic ◽

Nevenka Boskovic-Vragolovic ◽

Mihailo Ristic ◽

Vladimir Pavicevic ◽

Vlada Veljkovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Atmospheric Pressure ◽

Mass Fraction ◽

Oil Yield ◽

Volatile Components ◽

Rectification Column ◽

Juniperus Communis ◽

Sesquiterpene Hydrocarbons ◽

Separation Degree ◽

Essential Oil Yield

This paper deals with fractionation of the essential oil from juniper (Juniperus communis L.) berries by hydrodistillation (HD) and simultaneous hydrodistillation and rectification (SHDR) at atmospheric pressure. A rectification column was filled with the NORMAG packing A type and had 36 theoretical stages. In the present study, higher essential oil yield was obtained by HD (1.34 mass %) than by SHDR (1.17 mass %). However, mass fraction distributions of monoterpene hydrocarbons (MHs), oxygenated monoterpenes (OMs) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (SHs), observed for the two separation methods, differed from each other. In the SHDR process increased contents of high volatile components (predominantly MHs) were obtained in the initial fractions as well as increased contents of low volatile components (dominantly SHs) in the last fractions. Also, this method increased the separation degree of OMs.

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Interaction Effect of CO2 Enrichment and Nutritional Conditions on Physiological Characteristics, Essential Oil and Yield of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.)

Notulae Scientia Biologicae ◽

10.15835/nsb416682 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 121-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Mahmoud SHOOR ◽

Farzad MONDANI ◽

Akbar ALIVERDI ◽

Farid GOLZARDI

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Co2 Enrichment ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Physiological Characteristics ◽

Oil Yield ◽

Individual Plant ◽

Growth Ratio ◽

Lemon Balm ◽

Oil Percentage ◽

Essential Oil Yield

Carbon dioxide enrichment and nutritional improvement can increase photosynthesis and growth of different crops. The aim of the present study was to assess interaction effects of CO2 enrichment and fertilizer on physiological characteristics and lemon balm essential oil. Experimental units were composed of CO2 at 380, 700, and 1050 ppm with and without manure and N fertilizer application. A continuous increasing trend of individual plant leaf area, total dry weight accumulation and relative growth ratio were recorded with CO2 enrichment. When CO2 was elevated from 380 to 1050 ppm, the values of height (24.3%), SPAD reading (2.7%), essential oil yield (26.3%) and final yield (65.3%) were increased, unlike, stomatal conductance (35.2%) and essential oil percentage (53%) were decreased. The highest and the lowest values (except for oil percentage) were obtained under N and no fertilizer application, respectively. Except for SPAD, interaction between CO2 enrichment and each fertilizer on all measured characteristics had a significant effect, so that CO2 effect was intensified by applying each fertilizer. Therefore, it can be concluded that when temperature increase caused by rising CO2 is not considered or there is not a limitation for resources, CO2 enrichment will improve lemon balm biomass and essential oil yield.

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EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ABIOTIC STRESS ON ESSENTIAL OIL YIELD FROM AERIAL PART OF CYMBOPOGON FLEXUOSUS (NEES EX STEUD) WATS.

International Journal of Advanced Research ◽

10.21474/ijar01/2549 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (12) ◽

pp. 1490-1504

Author(s):

Vinutha M ◽

◽

Suchetha M. ◽

K.J.Thara Saraswathi. ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Abiotic Stress ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Aerial Part ◽

Oil Yield ◽

Cymbopogon Flexuosus ◽

Essential Oil Yield

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Identification of VOCs in essential oils extracted using ultrasound- and microwave-assisted methods from sweet cherry flower

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-80891-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Huimin Zhang ◽

Hongguang Yan ◽

Quan Li ◽

Hui Lin ◽

Xiaopeng Wen

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Sweet Cherry ◽

Dimethyl Sulfide ◽

Solid Phase ◽

Oil Yield ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Process Conditions ◽

Important Indicator ◽

Microwave Assisted ◽

Essential Oil Yield

AbstractThe floral fragrance of plants is an important indicator in their evaluation. The aroma of sweet cherry flowers is mainly derived from their essential oil. In this study, based on the results of a single-factor experiment, a Box–Behnken design was adopted for ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction of essential oil from sweet cherry flowers of the Brooks cultivar. With the objective of extracting the maximum essential oil yield (w/w), the optimal extraction process conditions were a liquid–solid ratio of 52 mL g−1, an extraction time of 27 min, and a microwave power of 435 W. The essential oil yield was 1.23%, which was close to the theoretical prediction. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the sweet cherry flowers of four cultivars (Brooks, Black Pearl, Tieton and Summit) were identified via headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results showed that a total of 155 VOCs were identified and classified in the essential oil from sweet cherry flowers of four cultivars, 65 of which were shared among the cultivars. The highest contents of VOCs were aldehydes, alcohols, ketones and esters. Ethanol, linalool, lilac alcohol, acetaldehyde, (E)-2-hexenal, benzaldehyde and dimethyl sulfide were the major volatiles, which were mainly responsible for the characteristic aroma of sweet cherry flowers. It was concluded that the VOCs of sweet cherry flowers were qualitatively similar; however, relative content differences were observed in the four cultivars. This study provides a theoretical basis for the metabolism and regulation of the VOCs of sweet cherry flowers.

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Essential Oils of Four Virginia Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) Varieties Grown in North Alabama

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10071397 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1397

Author(s):

William N. Setzer ◽

Lam Duong ◽

Trang Pham ◽

Ambika Poudel ◽

Cuong Nguyen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Essential Oils ◽

University Research ◽

Oil Yield ◽

Research Station ◽

Continuous Extraction ◽

Chromatographic Techniques ◽

Relative Differences ◽

Essential Oil Yield ◽

Very High

Virginia mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) is a peppermint-flavored aromatic herb of the Lamiaceae and is mainly used for culinary, medicinal, aromatic, and ornamental purposes. North Alabama’s climate is conducive to growing mint for essential oils used in culinary, confectionery, and medicinal purposes. There is, however, a need for varieties of P. virginianum that can be adapted and easily grown for production in North Alabama. Towards this end, four field-grown varieties with three harvesting times (M1H1, M1H2, M1H3; M2H1, M2H2, M2H3; M3H1, M3H2, M3H3, M4H1, M4H2, M4H3) were evaluated for relative differences in essential oil yield and composition. Thirty-day-old greenhouse-grown plants of the four varieties were transplanted on raised beds in the field at the Alabama A & M University Research Station in North Alabama. The plots were arranged in a randomized complete block with three replications. The study’s objective was to compare the four varieties for essential oil yield and their composition at three harvest times, 135, 155, and 170 days after planting (DAP). Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation with continuous extraction with dichloromethane using a Likens–Nickerson apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatographic techniques. At the first harvest, the essential oil yield of the four varieties showed that M1H1 had a yield of 1.15%, higher than M2H1, M3H1, and M4H1 with 0.91, 0.76, and 1.03%, respectively. The isomenthone concentrations increased dramatically through the season in M1 (M1H1, M1H2, M1H3) by 19.93, 54.7, and 69.31%, and M3 (M3H1, M3H2, M3H3) by 1.81, 48.02, and 65.83%, respectively. However, it increased only slightly in M2 and M4. The thymol concentration decreased slightly but not significantly in all four varieties; the thymol in M2 and M4 was very high compared with M1 and M3. The study showed that mountain mint offers potential for production in North Alabama. Two varieties, M1 and M3, merit further studies to determine yield stability, essential oil yield, composition, and cultivation development practices.

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