ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the essential oil profile and terpenes accumulation in the roots of Gynura bicolor (Asteracese) treated by CO2 and LED lighting. Methods: G. bicolor herbs were treated by CO2 at the levels of 450 (control) and 1200 (elevated) μmol/mol and LED lighting with white light, RB20 (red/blue=8/2) and RB40 (red/blue=6/4). Headspace solid-phase micro-extraction-GC MS was employed to analyze terpenes from the essential oil of the roots. Results: In all treated-roots, the major components of terpenes were (E)-β-farnesene, α-, β-caryophyllene, δ-, β-, γ-elemene, and α-pinene. Increasing CO2 significantly decreased mono- and sesqui-terpenes in the roots under all light conditions, leading to the decreasing yields of the essential oils. Terpenes were at a higher level in RB20-treated roots than that in RB40-treated ones under both control and elevated CO2. Conclusion: CO2 (450 μmol/mol) and 20 % blue LED lights are more conducive to the accumulation of terpenes in the roots than 1200 μmol/mol CO2 and 40% blue LED lights. © 2014 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines.