Comparative Determination of the Volatile Components of Prunella vulgaris L. from Different Geographical Origins by Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The volatile components of Prunella vulgaris L. were determined by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The optimal conditions for HS-SPME were 1.5 g of sample, extraction using a polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene fiber for 50 min at 90°C, and a desorption time of 5 min. The volatile compounds of Prunella vulgaris L. from different parts of the herb (cultivated in Jiangsu) and from different geographical regions (Jiangsu, Fujian, Guangxi, Hunan, and Zhejiang) were comparatively analyzed. There were 26, 28, 28, 28, and 34 compounds identified in Prunella vulgaris L. from Jiangsu, Fujian, Guangxi, Hunan, and Zhejiang, respectively. Among them, the following 12 were found in all origins: 1-nonanol, dodecane, tridecane, α-bourbonene, tetradecane, geranyl acetone, pentadecane, caryophyllene oxide, hexadecane, tetradecanal, isobutyl phthalate, and n-butyl hexadecanoate. In addition, Prunella vulgaris L. cultivated in Guangxi and Zhejiang had a high similarity in volatile components as did Prunella vulgaris L. cultivated in Fujian and Hunan. The results provided valuable information for the application of Prunella vulgaris L. and suggested that the HS-SPME method was suitable for differentiating and determining the volatile components of Prunella vulgaris L.

Keywords:

• Different geographical regions
• GC-MS
• Headspace solid-phase microextration
• Prunella vulgaris L.
• Volatile components

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (Grant No. 2009IM031500).

Notes

Note: The experiments were examined in a set of triplicate.

—, Not Detected.

^a Experimentally determined Kovats indices on the DB-5 column, relative to C8–C30 hydrocarbons.

Note: The experiments were examined in a set of triplicate.

—, Not Detected.

^a Experimentally determined Kovats indices on the DB-5 column, relative to C8–C30 hydrocarbons.