# Comparative Bioactivities and Fatty Acid Composition of Pinus koraiensis Leaf Oils Obtained Using Different Extraction Methods

## TL;DR

This study compares two oils from Pinus koraiensis leaves, finding that supercritical-CO2-extracted oil has broader bioactivity and more diverse fatty acids than essential oil.

## Contribution

The study reveals that supercritical-CO2-extracted oil from Pinus koraiensis leaves has enhanced bioactivity and fatty acid diversity compared to essential oil.

## Key findings

- Supercritical-CO2-extracted oil (SPO) showed stronger antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans compared to essential oil (EPO).
- SPO demonstrated greater cytotoxicity in non–small cell lung, prostate, and colon cancer cell lines.
- GC–MS analysis showed SPO had 16 fatty acids with 10 unique ones, while EPO contained linolelaidic acid not found in SPO.

## Abstract

Pinus koraiensis leaves are known for various bioactivities, including anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-hyperlipidemic effects. This study aimed to compare the essential oil from P. koraiensis leaves (EPO) and the supercritical-CO2-extracted oil (SPO) for physicochemical traits, antibacterial and anticancer activities, and anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effects, and profiled fatty acids by means of GC-MS. SPO showed stronger antimicrobial activity than EPO against Streptococcus mutans, whereas EPO was more active against Candida albicans. In HaCaT keratinocytes and THP-1 monocytic cell line, SPO more effectively suppressed LPS-induced ROS and attenuated TNF-α and IL-6 upregulation. Across a panel of human cancer cell lines, SPO exerted greater cytotoxicity, particularly in non–small cell lung, prostate, and colon cancers. GC–MS revealed greater compositional diversity in SPO (16 fatty acids, 10 unique), while linolelaidic acid was detected only in EPO; pentadecenoic acid was abundant in all oils. Collectively, SPO demonstrates broader bioactivity and richer fatty-acid diversity than EPO, supporting its potential as a functional food or medicinal ingredient.