Study on the volatile components in fresh leaves of Michelia martinii Levl. in four seasons

Volatile components and their contents in fresh Michelia martinii Levl. (MML) leaves in spring, summer, autumn and winter were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We identified 65 volatile compounds from the fresh leaf samples of MML in spring, summer, autumn and winter (peak values below 0.49 were neglected), which belonged to 26, 29, 31 and 32 components, respectively. In the fresh MML leaves, there were 14 common components, including tricyclene, α-pinene, camphene, sabinene, β-pinene, β-myrcene, α-phellandrene, d-limonene, eucalyptol, trans-β-ocimene, eucalyptol, ledol, eudesm-4 and β-linalool. In addition, α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene and linalool were common volatile components found in fresh leaves growing in all four seasons and in dry buds of MML. For essential oil, α-pinene, β-pinene, β-myrcene, β-linalool, linalool and myrcene had the highest contents in fresh leaves, indicating that MML leaves have health benefits and are suitable all year. Fresh leaves of MML in spring exhibited the highest rate of volatile oil extraction. This study on the differences and seasonal changes of volatile components in fresh MML leaves provides a scientific basis and guide for the seasonal selection of volatile oil extraction in MML and the construction of health care communities.