Composition and variability of essential oils of Platycladus orientalis growing in China

Essential oils were isolated from the leaves of Platycladus orientalis growing in 16 areas of China. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In total, 98 volatile compounds were identified. Chemical variability in essential oil composition was evaluated using cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The two analyses led to the identification of four chemotypes: α-pinene, α-pinene/3-carene, cedrol, and cedrol/terpinyl acetate. Geographically, the populations growing in close proximity had similar essential oil composition. The chemical variability could possibly be attributed to genetic and environmental factors.

Research highlights
► Essential oils from leaves of Platycladus orientalis growing in 16 areas of China have been analyzed simultaneously by GC and GC–MS.
► The chemical variability in P. orientalis essential oil has been compared among 16 different localities in China.
► Cluster analysis and principal component analysis led to the identification of four P. orientalis chemotypes: α-pinene, α-pinene/3-carene, cedrol, and cedrol/terpinyl acetate.