Utilization of volatility and oxidation properties for the high added-value of domestic needle oils

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18725
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Wood science
• Research Institution: Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
• Principal Investigator: KUSUMOTO Norihisa 国立研究開発法人森林総合研究所, 森林資源化学研究領域, 特別研究員(PD) (80537168)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 針葉樹 / 精油 / テルペン / 加熱処理 / 抗菌活性 / 紫外線照射 / p-メンタジエン / β-フェランドレン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The applications of needle essential oils are limited due to the easy degradation by ambient factors such as heat, UV rays and air; however, these factors can be regarded as valuable properties. The aim of this study is to discover high added-value of domestic needle oils by utilizing volatility and oxidation properties. In this study, following topics: 1) effective treatments by utilizing volatility and oxidation properties; 2) biological activities of treated oils; 3) usable forest materials containing high-reactive components, were investigated.
The needle oils of Pinus thunbergii, Cryptomeria japonica and Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondae were used for the mild heat and UV-A treatments. The major achievements were as follows: 1) mild heat treatments enhanced antifungal activities of essential oils; 2) some p-menthadiene components selectively changed by UV-A irradiation; 3) Abies sachalinensis bark was found as a usable material for extracting β-phellandrene-rich essential oil.

Free Research Field

森林化学