Diversification of terpenoid emissions proposes a geographic structure based on climate and pathogen composition in Japanese cedar.

Biogenic volatile organic compounds emitted from plants are important constituents of atmospheric chemistry and play a major role in the resistance of plants against various environmental stresses. However, little is known about how abiotic and biotic environments on a geographic scale relate to diversifications of the emission. Here, we present variations of terpenes stored in and emitted from leaves of a single species in a common garden, using genetically differentiated local populations of Japanese cedar, the most dominant and widely distributed tree species in Japan. Furthermore, we determined the composition of fungal communities in 50 locations, based on the presence or absence of 158 fungal species inhabiting the cedar. The results showed that terpenoids, especially those that are emitted, were highly diversified and geographically structured among the 12 populations. The total amount of stored terpenes was negatively affected by warm and less-snow climates. On the other hand, variations in some emitted terpenoid species among the populations were correlated to antagonistic fungal species inhabiting the Japanese cedar. We propose that the diversification of composition and amount of stored and emitted terpenoids in the tree species is not only structured by climate, but also antagonistic fungal communities through biological interactions.

Subjective Effects of Inhaling Kuromoji Tea Aroma.

Teas and various herbal teas are well-known beverages and are commonly consumed around the world. In this study, we focused on kuromoji tea. Kuromoji is a deciduous shrub of the Lauraceae family, and the plucked leaves and branches have been drunk as a tea in production areas for a long time. However, no studies have investigated the subjective and physiological effects of kuromoji tea. In this study, the effects of kuromoji tea were examined on the basis of the measurements of heart rate variability and cerebral blood flow, core body temperature and subjective assessments. Moreover, the results of this study showed that a pleasant subjective feeling could be obtained by sniffing the aroma of kuromoji teas, especially tea leaves. It was also found that the aroma of kuromoji teas has the potential to stimulate saliva secretion and increase subjective and physiological excitements in the oral cavity. 1,8-Cineole, linalool, terpinen-4-ol, carvone and geraniol were determined in both kuromoji leaves and branches. In this study, the beneficial effects of kuromoji teas when drunk conventionally were investigated.

Component features, odor-active volatiles, and acute oral toxicity of novel white-colored truffle Tuber japonicum native to Japan.

Component analysis of a novel white-colored truffle native to Japan, Tuber japonicum, was performed to determine its characteristic features. The analysis of odor-active volatile compound showed a high contribution of 1-octen-3-ol and 3-methyl-2,4-dithiapentane to the odor of T. japonicum. Although 2,4-dithiapentane is a key odorant of well-known white truffle T. magnatum, 3-methyl-2,4-dithiapentane was detected from the ripe T. japonicum. The chemical components of T. japonicum showed no clear difference with those of edible truffles T. magnatum and T. melanosporum. It was rich in crude protein, crude fiber, and minerals (especially potassium), and low in crude fat. Glutamine and glutamic acid were detected in T. japonicum as free amino acids, while T. magnatum contained a large amount of alanine. Acute oral toxicity tests showed no abnormality, with an LD50 value of over 2000 mg/kg under the test conditions. The present study may support future market distribution of T. japonicum as a high-class foodstuff.

Inside Cover Image, Volume 8, Issue 1.

The cover image is based on the ORIGINAL RESEARCH Component features, odor-active volatiles, and acute oral toxicity of novel white-colored truffle Tuber japonicum native to Japan by Tomoko Shimokawa et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1325. Cover Credit: Cover image ©Tomoko Shimokawa Images.

Production of flavorful alcohols from woods and possible applications for wood brews and liquors.

This work explores the utilization of wood for high-value production of novel alcoholic brews and liquors with natural flavors. The process capitalizes on our original wet-type bead milling (WBM) technology that enables direct enzymatic saccharification and alcohol fermentation of wood without chemical and heat treatment, resulting in the absence of toxic compounds. When alcohol-based products from various wood species, including Cryptomeria japonica (cedar), Cerasus × yedoensis (cherry), and Betula platyphylla (birch), were analyzed by SPME-GC-MS, different natural flavor components were found in each. Correlation analysis using Heracles NEO and ASTREE V5 showed that the alcohols from wood have different flavor and taste characteristics when compared with those of existing commercial liquors. From pilot-scale experiments, the yield of alcoholic brew per biomass amount was determined. Pilot-scale runs established the importance of optimum wood particle size during WBM for efficient alcohol production. Although the alcohol produced from wood must first be established as safe for human consumption, this is the first description of drinking alcohols produced from wood. This work may open up important avenues for the exploitation of wood resources toward food production to further advance the current state of forestry.

Terpenoids of the Swamp Cypress Subfamily (Taxodioideae), Cupressaceae, an Overview by GC-MS.

The resins bled from stems and in seed cones and leaves of Cryptomeria japonica, Glyptostrobus pensilis, Taxodium distichum, and T. mucronatum were characterized to provide an overview of their major natural product compositions. The total solvent extract solutions were analyzed as the free and derivatized products by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the compounds, which comprised minor mono- and sesquiterpenoids, and dominant di- and triterpenoids, plus aliphatic lipids (e.g., n-nonacosan-10-ol). Ferruginol, 7α-p-cymenylferruginol, and chamaecydin were the major characteristic markers for the Taxodioideae conifer subfamily. The mass spectrometric data can aid polar compound elucidation in environmental, geological, archeological, forensic and pharmaceutical studies.

Antitermite activity of beta-caryophyllene epoxide and episulfide.

Caryophyllene-6,7-epoxide and caryophyllene-6,7-episulfide can be easily synthesized from beta-caryophyllene by autoxidation or episulfidation. The bioactivities of beta-caryophyllene and its derivatives were investigated against the subterranean termite Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe. The antifeedant, feeding, and termiticidal activities of each compound were tested using no-choice, dual-choice, and non-contact methods. Antitermitic activities were not shown by beta-caryophyllene, but were observed for the oxide and sulfide derivatives. Caryophyllene-6,7-episulfide showed especially high antifeedant and termiticidal activities. Thus, naturally abundant, non-bioactive beta-caryophyllene can be easily converted into an antitermite reagent via a non-biological process.

Antifungal abietane-type diterpenes from the cones of Taxodium distichum Rich.

The chemical composition of Taxodium distichum cones and the antifungal activities of twelve diterpenoids against two wood decay fungi, Trametes versicolor (white-rot) and Fomitopsis palustris (brown-rot) were examined. The chemical composition of the major extractive fraction, the n-C(6)H(14) extract, was evaluated and its antifungal properties were identified. Twelve diterpenoids including ten abietane-type components were isolated from the n-C(6)H(14) extract: 6,7-dehydroferruginol (1), ferruginol (2), 6,7-dehydroroyleanone (3), sandaracopimaric acid (4), taxodione (5), taxodal (6), taxodone (7), sugiol (8), xanthoperol (9), salvinolone (10), 5,6-dehydrosugiol (11), and 14-deoxycoleon U (12). Compounds 5 and 12 were highly active against both wood-decay fungi. In particular, the activities of these compounds against F. palustris were potent. The results suggest that the position and the number of hydroxyl groups on abietane-type structures may be related to antifungal activities against T. versicolor and F. palustris.

Antitermitic activities of abietane-type diterpenes from Taxodium distichum cones.

Eight known abietane-type diterpenes were isolated from the weak acidic fraction of the n-hexane extract from cones of Taxodium distichum, one of the extant, living fossil conifers. They were identified as 6,7-dehydroroyleanone (1), taxodal (2), taxodione (3), salvinolone (4), 14-deoxycoleon U (5), 5,6-dehydrosugiol (6), sandaracopimaric acid (7), and xanthoperol (8). The structures of these compounds were determined by comparison of NMR spectral data with published data. The antitermitic (termicidal and antifeedant) activities of the compounds 1-8 against the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, were evaluated. Compounds 1 and 3 showed potent termicidal activity, and 5 and 8 showed potent antifeedant activity. Compound 1 was found to be one of the representative bioactive compounds in the n-hexane extract of T. distichum cones. Compounds 1-8, with the exception of 7, were oxides of ferruginol (9). Therefore, the presence of various oxidation forms of the abietane-type structure reflects their various bioactivities.