Monoterpene patterns of industrially produced needle tree oils

In the period from 1997�2002, essential oils (EO) from species of the Pinaceae and Cupressaceae family were produced at a distillation plant at Alvdal in Central Norway. The EO yield from needles and branches ranged from 4.3 (Picea), 4.8 (Pinus) to 10.0 ml/kg f.w (Abies). In contrast to members of the genus Larix with 2.2 ml/kg f.w., Cupressaceae species such as Common juniper, Port Orford cedar and Northern White cedar were also rich in EO (on average 10.6 ml/kg f.w.). Important monoterpenes of the Pinus species were pinene, 3-carene, limonene and beta-phellandrene. Picea and Abies species were dominated by pinene, camphene, 3-carene, limonene, beta-phellandrene and bornyl acetate with higher amounts of beta-pinene in Abies sp. and respectively, beta-myrcene and camphor in Picea sp. EOs rich in bornyl acetate (over 30 %) were restricted to these genera. High amounts of 3-carene (over 40 %) could be detected in Larix species, whereas distinct levels of sabinene were especially found in Juniper needles. The monoterpene content reached levels above 83 % in all EO samples except for the cedar oils (Chamaecyparis, Thuja) showing high levels of sesquiterpenes. Sesquiterpene contents over 6 % were found in pines, whilst Picea and Abies species showed concentrations up to 4 %. The EO yield and monoterpene profiles of 29 coniferous species are presented and discussed.