RESUMO
The chemical compositions of the essential oils of Pittosporum tobira organs and of the volatile organic compounds emitted were identified. The EOs are extracted by hydrodistillation and the VOCs by head space. The main EOs compounds are α-neoclovene, ß-caryophyllene and limonene in roots. Viridiflorol in young stems, flowers and young leaves (34.90, 31.60, and 24.60%, respectively), α-cadinol in young stems and leaves, and flowers (13.80, 10.40, and 9.10%, respectively) and (E)-nerolidol in flowers (13.30%). The major detected VOCs are n-undecane, n-nonane, α-cubebene, and α-gurjunene and ß-gurjunene. Principal Component Analysis carried out on the 26 main volatile compounds (relative content exceeding 6%) identified both by HS and in the EOs allowed their classification into two groups; compounds specific to roots and those specific to aerial parts. We can notice that the two methods used to extract P. tobira volatile compounds and identify them are complementary. This study defines and differentiates, for the first time, the specific aroma profile of P. tobira from Tunisia. In addition to its ornamental value, all the organs of this species, could be valued as a source of volatile compounds useful in perfume, cosmetics and as food flavoring products.
