Composition and antifungal activity of balsam from Liquidambar formosana Hance

Abstract

Abstract Formosan sweet gum (Liquidambar formosana Hance) is a tree species endemic in Taiwan. In this study, the composition of balsam from L. formosana has been determined by several chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Among the 26 compounds identified, three new triterpenoids were detected, namely, 2α,3α-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-al (1), 3α-hydroxyolean-12-en-30-ol (2), and 3α-hydroxyolean-2-oxo-12-en-28-al (3). The most abundant volatile compounds were β-caryophyllene (22.7%), α-pinene (23.3%), and β-pinene (19.6%), and the most abundant nonvolatile compounds were 3α,25-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (12, 19.1%), oleanonic aldehyde (9, 14.0%), and betulonic acid (15, 13.4%). The compounds 3α,25-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid and bornyl cinnamate were found to be inhibitory for white rot (Lenzites betulina) and brown rot (Laetiporus sulphureus) fungi.