Conifer-Derived Monoterpenes and Forest Walking

Kazuhiro Sumitomo; Hiroaki Akutsu; Syusei Fukuyama; Akiho Minoshima; Shin Kukita; Yuji Yamamura; Yoshiaki Sato; Taiki Hayasaka; Shinobu Osanai; Hiroshi Funakoshi; Naoyuki Hasebe; Masao Nakamura

doi:10.5702/massspectrometry.A0042

Original Article

Conifer-Derived Monoterpenes and Forest Walking

Kazuhiro Sumitomo, Hiroaki Akutsu, Syusei Fukuyama, Akiho Minoshima, Shin Kukita, Yuji Yamamura, Yoshiaki Sato, Taiki Hayasaka, Shinobu Osanai, Hiroshi Funakoshi, Naoyuki Hasebe, Masao Nakamura

Author information

Kazuhiro Sumitomo
Cardiovascular Respiratory Frontier of Medical Renovation, Asahikawa Medical University
Hiroaki Akutsu
Center for Advanced Research and Education, Asahikawa Medical University
Syusei Fukuyama
Cardiovascular Respiratory Frontier of Medical Renovation, Asahikawa Medical University
Akiho Minoshima
Cardiovascular Respiratory Frontier of Medical Renovation, Asahikawa Medical University
Shin Kukita
Cardiovascular Respiratory Frontier of Medical Renovation, Asahikawa Medical University
Yuji Yamamura
Cardiovascular Respiratory Frontier of Medical Renovation, Asahikawa Medical University
Yoshiaki Sato
Cardiovascular Respiratory Frontier of Medical Renovation, Asahikawa Medical University
Taiki Hayasaka
Cardiovascular Respiratory Frontier of Medical Renovation, Asahikawa Medical University
Shinobu Osanai
Cardiovascular Respiratory Frontier of Medical Renovation, Asahikawa Medical University
Hiroshi Funakoshi
Center for Advanced Research and Education, Asahikawa Medical University
Naoyuki Hasebe
Internal Medicine I, Asahikawa Medical University
Masao Nakamura Corresponding author
Cardiovascular Respiratory Frontier of Medical Renovation, Asahikawa Medical University

Keywords: conifer, monoterpenes, pinene, forest walking, forest therapy

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2015 Volume 4 Issue 1 Pages A0042

DOI https://doi.org/10.5702/massspectrometry.A0042

Details

Abstract

Conifer and broadleaf trees emit volatile organic compounds in the summer. The major components of these emissions are volatile monoterpenes. Using solid phase microextraction fiber as the adsorbant, monoterpenes were successfully detected and identified in forest air samples. Gas chromatography/mass chromatogram of monoterpenes in the atmosphere of a conifer forest and that of serum from subjects who were walking in a forest were found to be similar each other. The amounts of α-pinene in the subjects became several folds higher after forest walking. The results indicate that monoterpenes in the atmosphere of conifer forests are transferred to and accumulate in subjects by inhalation while they are exposed to this type of environment.

Corresponding author

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