Quantitative and Qualitative Study of Essential Oils of Resin, Leaves, Pruned Branches and Wood of Pinus eldarica Medw. Trees

With considering the extensive planting of Pinus eldarica Medw. in the green spaces of cities and the sowing hands forests in Iran, leaves, wood and pruned branches of these trees always account for a very high share of the volume of urban green space waste. In this research, in order to study of the susceptibility of these trees for higher productivity and reduce their fire risk and cost of their maintenance, the essential oil of resin, leaves, pruned branches and wood of these trees under water distillation conditions was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. This study showed that the resin of these trees produced 22% (v/w) of essential oil at a much higher yield than those of pruned branches (0.15%), leaves (0.08%) and wood (0.025%) and its use to extract the compounds contained therein can be economically justified. In the abundant essential oil of resin of these trees, the hydrocarbon monoterpenes constitute major share, while in the small amount essential oil of their wood, the share of sesquiterpenes and diterpenoids are higher than monoterpenes. On the other hand, the higher yield of the pruned branches for producing essential oil relative to leaves and wood of these trees indicates more flammability of the branches. Therefore preventing the accumulation of pruned branches of these trees on the surface of forested areas can reduce the possibility of fire, especially in warm seasons.