Age and space distributions of monoterpenes in fresh needles of Picea abies (L) Karst. Determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Monoterpenes (alpha- and beta-pinene, delta-3-carene, camphene, alpha-phellandrene and limonene) were determined by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in fresh needles of Picea abies (L) Karst. situated in three ecologically different regions of Moravia. Through the use of cryogenic grinding for critical sample homogenisation, solvent extraction with cold n-hexane, followed by GC analysis with mass detection, very low quantities of sample (0.1-0.3 g needles) could be processed, thus permitting a comparison of amounts of monoterpenes in needles of different ages and a determination of changes in concentrations of monoterpenes in needles at different locations on the tree. The amount of alpha-phellandrene decreased with the age of the needles, and the content of delta-3-carene was higher in apical branches compared to lateral ones.