EXPLORING THE EXTRACTION TECHNIQUES FOR AROMA COMPOUNDS IN CHIR PINE
Riya Gupta1, Shivani Jaggi Guleria1, Manmohan Singh Rawat2
1Department of Chemistry, Maya Devi University, NH 72 Dehradun, Selaqui, India
2Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology, Vigyandham, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
Abstract: Pinus roxburghii is an indigenous species of the Himalayas, named in honour of William Roxburgh. It is commonly known as chir pine or Himalayan pine. The extraction of aroma compounds from Pinus roxburghii depends on the plant’s chemistry as well as the extraction techniques. The needles, resin, and bark of this pine species are naturally filled with a diverse blend of volatile terpenoids and other aromatic molecules that contribute to their unique olfactory scent. The main challenge lies not just in acquiring these compounds, but also in preserving their quality and maximizing yield with efficiency, purity, and environmental sustainability. Literature reviews of Pinus roxburghii essential oil extracts invariably identify α-pinene, β-pinene, and 3-carene as the major constituents. These volatile organic compounds impart the characteristic fresh, woody, and sharp pine scent. The essential oils and resins have applications in perfumes, cosmetics, medicines, and various industries. The pine needles are a primary source of forest fires in the Himalayan region. One of the main aspects of sustainability emphasized in the use of pine needles is their utilization as a resource for value-added products such as essential oils. Essential oils from pine biomass have traditionally been extracted by hydrodistillation and solvent extraction methods, which are very energy-intensive. These were later replaced by modern techniques such as supercritical fluid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, superheated steam distillation, solvent-free microwave-assisted extraction, and short-path molecular distillation.Recently, Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) have been recognized as a potential green extraction medium because of their low volatility, adjustable physicochemical properties, and lower environmental impact. Research on DES with reference to pine biomass mostly focuses on how pine needles can be broken down into sugars by hydrothermal or alkali treatment, mainly for the production of biofuels or materials; however, literature demonstrating the use of DES for extracting aromatic compounds from pine needles for perfumery is not available.Conventional methods are still the primary mode of extraction, but there is a need to move toward more intelligent, environmentally friendly extraction techniques to fully exploit the potential of pine for both scent and health applications. This review critically analyzes the extraction techniques and chemical composition of aroma compounds obtained from chir pine with respect to extraction efficiency, aroma preservation, energy consumption, and sustainability factors. Based on data collected from the literature, the ability of DES to selectively and economically extract aroma compounds and active terpenoids from chir pine biomass can be demonstrated. The study also highlights research avenues for the development of green perfume ingredients and forest biomass valorization.
Key words: aroma compounds, DES, essential oils, extraction methods, forest fires, Pinus roxburghii, sustainability.
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 04 2026: 21 – 39