EXTRACTION METHOD FOR THE ISOLATION OF TERPENES FROM PLANT-TISSUE ANDSUBSEQUENT DETERMINATION BY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY

A method for the isolation and determination of terpenes from plant ti ssues is reported, involving extraction with methylene chloride for 24 h and quantitative analysis by gas chromatography. Relatively small m asses of samples are required, the method is suitable for the analysis of large numbers of samples, and good precision (5-10%) was obtained. The utility of the method for a variety of plant materials was demons trated by the analysis of Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) leaves and seeds, Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) leaves, red spruce (Picea rubens) leaves, and Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota) seeds. The use of a composite m ethod of sample preparation was investigated to improve the precision compared to the analysis of a class of individuals by averaging the an alysis of individuals. Equal masses of 5-10 g of foliage from 10-20 in dividuals were mixed well to form the composite sample. The composite method had superior precision by an average factor of 7 over averaging the analysis of individuals. (C) 1997 Academic Press.