Characterization of the Volatile Compounds of the Hardwood Portion of Betula papyrifera Marshall From Quebec, Canada

TL;DR

The study analyzed the volatile compounds in paper birch hardwood from Quebec, finding low yields and limited potential for commercial use.

Contribution

The study provides a novel characterization of volatile compounds in Betula papyrifera hardwood using two extraction methods.

Findings

Hydrodistillation yielded a fatty acid-rich essential oil with 51 compounds, dominated by linoleic acid.

HS-SPME identified 50 compounds, including aromatics and terpenoids not found in the essential oil.

Low yields and common compounds suggest limited direct commercial potential for the volatile metabolites.

Abstract

Betula papyrifera Marshall (paper birch) hardwood is an abundant yet underutilized resource for Quebec's forestry industry. We investigated the volatile compounds of the hardwood extracted using hydrodistillation (HD) and headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) and analyzed them by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and GC‐flame ionization detection. HD produced an essential oil with a low average yield (0.010% ± 0.001%), from which we identified 51 compounds, dominated by linoleic acid and its oxidation products. HS‐SPME provided a complementary profile, with 50 compounds identified, including aromatics and sesquiterpenes absent from the essential oil. The findings suggest that direct valorization of B. papyrifera hardwood for its volatile secondary metabolites is limited due to low yields and the prevalence of common compounds. Nevertheless, the study provides novel insights into the volatile chemical composition of B. papyrifera, contributing to the fundamental understanding of its extractives profile.

The volatile profile of Betula papyrifera hardwood has been characterized using both hydrodistillation and HS‐SPME coupled with GC‐MS/FID. Hydrodistillation yields a fatty acid‐rich essential oil, while HS‐SPME reveals a broader range of low‐molecular‐weight volatiles, including aromatics and terpenoids. While findings highlight limited potential for direct valorization, it provides new insights into an underutilized forest resource.

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