Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A method of detecting carbonyl compounds in tree leaves in China

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background, aim, and scope

Carbonyl compounds have been paid more and more attention because some carbonyl species have been proven to be carcinogenic or a risk for human health. Plant leaves are both an important emission source and an important sink of carbonyl compounds. But the research on carbonyl compounds from plant leaves is very scarce. In order to make an approach to the emission mechanism of plant leaves, a new method was established to extract carbonyl compounds from fresh plant leaves.

Materials, methods, and results

The procedure combining derivatization with ultrasonication was developed for the fast extraction of carbonyl compounds from tree leaves. Fresh leaves (< 0.01 g) were minced and ultrasonicated in acidic 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH)-acetonitrile solution for 30 min and then holding 30 min to allow aldehydes and ketones in leaves to react completely with DNPH.

Conclusions

The extraction process was performed under room temperature and only took 60 min. The advantages of this method were very little sample preparation, requiring short treatment time and usual equipment. Four greening trees, i.e., camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans), cedar (Cedrus deodara), and dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), were selected and extracted by this method. Seven carbonyl compounds, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, acrolein, p-tolualdehyde, m/o-tolualdehyde, and hexaldehyde were determined and quantified. The most common carbonyl species of the four tree leaves were formaldehyde, acrolein, and m/o-tolualdehyde. They accounted for 67.3% in cedar, 50.8% in sweet olive, 45.8% in dawn redwood, and 44.6% in camphor tree, respectively. Camphor tree had the highest leaf level of m/o-tolualdehyde with 15.0 ± 3.4 µg g−1(fresh leaf weight), which indicated that camphor tree may be a bioindicator of the level of tolualdehyde or xylene in the atmosphere. By analyzing carbonyl compounds from different tree leaves, it is not only helpful for further studying the relationship between sink and emission of carbonyls from plants, but also helpful for exploring optimum plant population in urban greening.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  • Báez A, Padilla H, Garcia R, Torres MD, Rosas I, Belmont R (2003) Carbonyl levels in indoor and outdoor air in Mexico City and Xalapa, Mexico. Sci Total Environ 302:211–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaulieu JC, Grimm CC (2001) Identification of volatile compounds in cantaloupe at various developmental stages using solid phase microextraction. J Agric Food Chem 49:1345–1352

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Binnie J, Cape JN, Mackie N, Leith ID (2002) Exchange of organic solvents between the atmosphere and grass—the use of open top chambers. Sci Tol Environ 285:53–67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bohme F, Welsch-Pausch K, McLachlan MS (1999) Uptake of airborne semivolatile organic compounds in agricultural plants: field measurements of interspecies variability. Environ Sci Technol 33:1805–1813

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buttery RG, Ling LC, Light DM (1987) Tomato leaf volatile aroma components. J Agric Food Chem 35:1039–1042

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen L, Jin H, Ding L, Zhang H, Li J, Qu C, Zhang H (2008) Dynamic microwave-assisted extraction of flavonoids from Herba epimedii. Sep Pur Technol 59:50–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chi Y, Feng Y, Wen S, Lü H, Yu Z, Zhang W, Sheng G, Fu J (2007) Determination of carbonyl compounds in the atmosphere by DNPH derivatization and LC–ESI-MS/MS detection. Talanta 72:539–545

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davey JF, Gibson DT (1974) Bacterial metabolism of para- and meta-xylene: oxidation of a methyl substituent. J Bacteriol 119:923–929

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deyl Z, Miksik I (1996) The effect of high fat diet upon the production reactive carbonyls in hypoxic heart. The effect upon connective tissue. Nutr Res 16:79–90

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Endo Y, Li CM, Tagiri-Endo M, Fujimoto K (2001) A modified method for the estimation of total carbonyl compounds in heated and frying oil using 2-propanol as a solvent. J Am Oil Chem Soc 78:1021–1024

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Endo Y, Tominaga M, Tagiri-Endo M, Kumozaki K, Kouzui H, Shiramasa H, Miyakoshi K (2003) A modified method to estimate total carbonyl compounds in frying oils using 1-butanol as a solvent. J Oleo Sci 52:353–358

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frank H, Frank W (1989) Uptake of airborne tetrachloroethene by spruce needles. Environ Sci Technol 23:365–367

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friedrich R, Obermeier A (1999) Anthropogenic emissions of volatile organic compounds. In: Hewitt CN (ed) Reactive hydrocarbons in the atmosphere. Academic, London, pp 1–39

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hagerman AE (1988) Extraction of tannin from fresh and preserved leaves. J Chem Ecol 14(2):453–461

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hellén H, Hakola H, Reissell A, Ruuskanen TM (2004) Carbonyl compounds in boreal coniferous air in Hyytiälä, Southern Finland. Atmos Chem Phys 4:1771–1780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hemwimol S, Pavasant P, Shotipruk A (2006) Ultrasound-assisted extraction of anthraquinones from roots of Morinda citrifolia. Ultrason Sonochem 13:543–548

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hiatt MH (1999) Leaves as an indicator of exposure to airborne volatile organic compounds. Environ Sci Technol 33:4126–4133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holoubek I, Korínek P, Šeda Z, Schneiderová E, Holoubková I, Pacl A, Tríska J, Cudlín P, Cáslavský J (2000) The use of mosses and pine needles to detect persistent organic pollutants at local and regional scales. Environ Pollut 109:283–292

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu X, Wei Y, Sha M (2004) Sonication extraction of total flavonoids from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. Strait Pharm J 16:88–89 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Janson R, de Serves C (2001) Acetone and monoterpene emissions from the boreal forest in northern Europe. Atmos Environ 35:4629–4637

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keymeulen R, Schamp N, Langenhove HV (1995) Uptake of gaseous toluene in plant leaves: a two compartment model. Chemosphere 31:3961–3975

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kipopoulou AM, Manoli E, Samara C (1999) Bioconcentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vegetables grown in an industrial area. Environ Pollut 106:369–380

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kondo T, Hasegawa K, Uchida R, Onishi M, Mizukami A, Omasa K (1995) Absorption of formaldehyde by Oleander (Nerium indicum). Environ Sci Technol 29:2901–2903

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krezwieser J, Harren FJM, Laarhoven LJJ, Boamfa I, te Lintel-Hekkert S, Scheerer U, Hüglin C, Rennenberg H (2001) Acetaldehyde emission by the leaves of trees—correlation with physiological and environmental parameters. Physiol Plant 113:41–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lehndorff E, Schwark L (2004) Biomonitoring of air quality in the Cologne Conurbation using pine needles as a passive sampler—part II: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Atmos Environ 38:3793–3808

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levart A, Veber M (2001) Determination of aldehydes and ketones in air samples using cryotrapping sampling. Chemosphere 44:701–708

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li YB, Xiong ZL, Li FM (2005) Determination of epimedin C in rat plasma by reversed-phase high-performance chromatography after oral administration of Epimedium extract. J Chromatogr B 821:235–239

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martin RS, Villanueva I, Zhang J, Popp CJ (1999) Nonmethane hydrocarbon, monocarboxylic acids, and low molecular weight aldehyde and ketone emissions from vegetation in Central New Mexico. Environ Sci Technol 23:2186–2192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maruyama T, Iida H, Kakidani H (2003) Oxidation of both termini of p- and m-xylene by Escherichia coli transformed with xylene monooxygenase gene. J Mol Catal B Enzym 21:211–219

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nicola FD, Maisto G, Prati MV, Alfani A (2005) Temporal variations in PAH concentrations in Quercus ilex L. (Holm oak) leaves in an urban area. Chemosphere 61:432–440

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Omori T, Yamada K (1970) Studies on the utilization of hydrocarbons by microorganisms. Part XVI: detection of metabolic intermediates of xylene and pseudocumene. Agri Biol Chem 34(5):659–663

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orecchio S (2007) PAHs associated with the leaves of Quercus ilex L.: extraction, GC-MS analysis, distribution and sources assessment of air quality in the Palermo (Italy) area. Atmos Environ 41:8669–8680

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Possanzini M, Di Palo V, Petricca R, Fratarcangeli R, Brocco D (1996) Measurements of lower carbonyls in Rome ambient air. Atmos Environ 30:3757–3764

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schade GW, Goldstein AH (2002) Plant physiological influences on the fluxes of oxygenated volatile organic compounds from ponderosa pine trees. J Geophys Res 107(D10). doi:10.1029/2001JD000532

  • Schulte E (2002) Determination of higher carbonyl compounds in used frying fats by HPLC of DNPH derivatives. Anal Bioanal Chem 372:644–648

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shibamoto T (2006) Analytical methods for trace levels of reactive carbonyls compounds formed in lipid peroxidation systems. J Pharm Biomed Anal 41:12–25

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simonich SL, Hites RA (1994) Vegetation-atmosphere partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Environ Sci Technol 28:939–943

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simonich SL, Hites RA (1995) Organic pollutant accumulation in vegetation. Environ Sci Technol 29:2905–2914

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith KEC, Jones KC (2000) Particles and vegetation: implications for the transfer of particle-bound organic contaminants to vegetation. Sci Total Environ 246:207–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stafiej A, Pyrzynska K, Ranz A, Lankmayr E (2006) Screening and optimization of derivatization in heating block for the determination of aliphatic aldehydes by HPLC. J Biochem Biophys Methods 69:15–24

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tremolada P, Burnett V, Calamari D, Jones KC (1996) Spatial distribution of PAHs in the UK atmosphere using pine needles. Environ Sci Technol 30:3570–3577

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uchiyama S, Matsushima E, Aoyagi S, Ando M (2004) Simultaneous determination of C1–C4 carboxylic acids and aldehydes using 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-impregnated silica gel and high-performance liquid chromatography. Anal Chem 76:5849–5854

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vilkhu K, Mawson R, Simons L, Bates D (2008) Applications and opportunities for ultrasound assisted extraction in the food industry—a review. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol 9:161–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Villanueva I, Popp CJ, Martin RS (2004) Biogenic emissions and ambient concentrations of hydrocarbons, carbonyl compounds and organic acids from ponderosa pine and cottonwood trees at rural and forested sites in Central New Mexico. Atmos Environ 38:249–260

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vinatoru M (2001) An overview of the ultrasonically assisted extraction of bioactive principles from herbs. Ultrason Sonochem 8:303–313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vogel M, Büldt A, Karst U (2000) Hydrazine reagents as derivatizing agents in environmental analysis—a critical review. J Anal Chem 366:781–791

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang L, Weller CL (2006) Recent advances in extraction of nutraceuticals from plants. Trends Food Sci Technol 17:300–312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson CL, Solar JM, El Ghaouth A, Fravel DR (1999) Benzaldehyde as a soil fumigant, and an apparatus for rapid fumigant evaluation. HortScience 34:681–685

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu J, Lin L, Chau F (2001) Ultrasound-assisted extraction of ginseng saponins from ginseng roots and cultured ginseng cells. Ultrason Sonochem 8:347–352

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yukawa N, Takamura H, Matoba T (1993) Determination of total carbonyl compounds in aqueous media. J Am Oil Chem Soc 70:881–884

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang H, Yang X, Li Z, Wang Y (2009) Ultrasonic-assisted extraction of epimedin C from fresh leaves of Epimedium and extraction mechanism. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol 10:54–60

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, He Q, Lioy PJ (1994) Characteristics of aldehydes: concentrations, sources, and exposure for indoor and outdoor residential microenvironments. Environ Sci Technol 28:146–152

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Liu Z (2008) Optimization and comparison of ultrasound/microwave assisted extraction (UMAE) and ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) of lycopene from tomatoes. Ultrason Sonochem 15:731–737

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the Chinese National Natural Science Foundation (40773047, 40973071), Shanghai Leading Academic Disciplines (S30109), and Innovation Found of Shanghai University.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 200444, Shanghai, China

    Juan Huang, Yanli Feng, Jiamo Fu & Guoying Sheng

  2. South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510650, Guangzhou, China

    Juan Huang

  3. State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Lab of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510640, Guangzhou, China

    Jiamo Fu & Guoying Sheng

Authors
  1. Juan Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yanli Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jiamo Fu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Guoying Sheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yanli Feng.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Elena Maestri

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Huang, J., Feng, Y., Fu, J. et al. A method of detecting carbonyl compounds in tree leaves in China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 17, 1129–1136 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-009-0277-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-009-0277-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation