Variation of volatile compounds of Cercidiphyllum japonicum Siebold et Zucc., Liriodendron tulipifera L., Ginkgo biloba L. leaves during different vegetation periods

Abstract

Cercidiphyllum japonicum Siebold et Zucc., Liriodendron tulipifera L. and Ginkgo biloba L. are woody, introduced plants in Lithuania. In this study we investigated volatile compounds present in these plants leaves during different vegetation periods. Essential oils of leaves of these plants were extracted by solid-phase microextraction (SPME), in-tube extraction (ITEX) and directly injected from headspace (HS) and analysed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS), to determine the chemical composition of the volatile fraction. The SPME technique was more sensitive than static headspace for analysis of plant leaves volatile compounds with GC-MS system. Comparing all three sample preparation techniques and injection techniques the SPME showed the highest concentrations, the highest number and variation of the volatile compounds, than HS or ITEX technique. Composition and amounts of volatile compounds depend on the plant, vegetation period and sample preparation for analysis. Broadest variety and concentration of volatile compounds of analysed plants, was in Cercidiphyllum japonicum leaves.