Research Article

Diversity of volatile organic compound emissions from flowering and vegetative branches of Yeheb, Cordeauxia edulis (Caesalpiniaceae), a threatened evergreen desert shrub

  1. Mohamed A. Ibrahim1,*,
  2. Meseret C. Egigu1,
  3. Anne Kasurinen1,
  4. Asha Yahya2,
  5. Jarmo K. Holopainen1

Article first published online: 13 JAN 2010

DOI: 10.1002/ffj.1971

Issue

Flavour and Fragrance Journal

Flavour and Fragrance Journal

Volume 25, Issue 2, pages 83–92, March/April 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Ibrahim, M. A., Egigu, M. C., Kasurinen, A., Yahya, A. and Holopainen, J. K. (2010), Diversity of volatile organic compound emissions from flowering and vegetative branches of Yeheb, Cordeauxia edulis (Caesalpiniaceae), a threatened evergreen desert shrub. Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 25: 83–92. doi: 10.1002/ffj.1971

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio Finland

  2. 2

    Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7043, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden

*Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 FEB 2010
  2. Article first published online: 13 JAN 2010
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 18 DEC 2009
  4. Manuscript Revised: 8 DEC 2009
  5. Manuscript Received: 16 APR 2009

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Keywords:

  • Cordeauxia edulis;
  • isoprene;
  • total phenolics;
  • VOCs;
  • Yeheb

Abstract

Yeheb is a shrub endemic to the Horn of Africa. It is adapted to hot and xeric environments and known to be resistant to insect herbivores. We analysed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the headspace of vegetative branches (VBs) and flowering branches (FBs), stored terpenoids from leaf and bark extracts and foliar total phenolics. Isoprene was the dominant compound in the headspace. In total, 66 VOCs were identified, but only a few stored terpenes were detected. Isoprene and monoterpene emissions from FBs were at levels of 24.0 and 5.12 μg/g dw (dry weight)/h, respectively. A total of 30 compounds were emitted at significantly higher rates from FBs than from VBs. The emission of large quantities of a diverse range of VOCs and the presence of high levels of total phenolics in this plant may be attributed to its defence strategy against both abiotic and biotic stresses in arid environments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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