MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
VINH UNIVERSITY

LÊ DUY LINH

RESEARCH ON THE COMPOSITION OF ESSENTIAL OILBEARING PLANTS SPECIES IN VU QUANG NATIONAL PARK,
HA TINH PROVINCE

Major: Botany
Code: 9420111

ABSTRACT OF A THESIS DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN BIOLOGY

VINH, 2020


This thesis was fulfilled at Vinh University

Supervisors:

1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Ban
2. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Hoi

Reviewer 1:
Reviewer 2:
Reviewer 3:

The thesis will be defended at Vinh University

The thesis can be found at: The National Library of Vietnam
Library of Nguyen Thuc Hao

create a cool aroma and especially synthetic fragrances are often too expensive
and highly toxic.
Vu Quang National Park was established under the Prime Minister’s
Decision No. 102/2002 / QD-TTg dated July 30, 2002, with a total area of about
1


54,000 ha, including 76% of the natural forest area with 5 types of main forest
divided by different elevations. This is the place of growth for many valuable
species: Dalbergia oliveri (Cẩm lai), Chukrasia tabularis (Lát hoa), Erythrophleum
fordii (Lim), Magnolia hypolampra (Giổi), Aquilaria crassna (Trầm hương), etc
and many precious medicinal plants. There have been a number of studies on
vascular plant diversity in Vu Quang National Park, but there is a lack of in-depth
studies on plant resources. Meanwhile, there exists a huge potential of essential oil
resources in there. Therefore, the author selected the topic: “Research on the
composition of essential oil-bearing plant species in Vu Quang National Park, Ha
Tinh Province” as the content of the thesis.
2. Objectives
Assess the diversity of essential oil-bearing plants and the
chemical composition of essential oils extracted from some oilbearing species in Vu Quang National Park, Ha Tinh province.
3. Scientific and practical significance
The research results of the thesis are the survey data that are
basic researches on the diversity of essential oil species in Vu Quang
National Park, Ha Tinh province, and provide new data on The
chemical composition of some essential oils of some families in the
flora of Vu Quang National Park.
4. New findings
- Providing new data including 366 species of essential oil
plants in Vu Quang National Park. This is a relatively comprehensive
and systematic data on essential oil plant resources in Vu Quang

plants in that their essential oils can be obtained”.
Later, when studying the structure and functioning of secretory
organs, it became clear about the difference in the nature of essential
oil-bearing plants. From that, it is possible to define that Essential oilbearing plants are plants which contain specialized structures for the
secretion and accumulation of essential oils.
1.1.2. Concept of essential oils

3


The French Standard (1987), gives out the definition of essential
oils as follows: “Products obtained from plant-derived materials, by
steam distillation or by mechanical methods for fruit peels of Citrus
genus. Essential oils are separated from the water by physical
methods. ” This definition has the limitation that is it excludes
products obtained by solvent extraction as well as products obtained
by other methods.
Essential oils are understood as blends of organic compounds,
complex molecular structures and different physical and chemical
properties. Essential oils have several properties:
- All essential oils are liquid, viscous, with optical properties, causing the
rotation of light.
- Most essential oils have less density than water (d1), insoluble or very rarely soluble in water, but soluble in
organic solvents.
- Essential oils have scent since the composition of essential oil is composed
from free-form constituents.
- Essential oils are evaporable.
Based on the chemical molecular structure of essential oils, they are
organized into 4 main groups:

1.2.2. Research on essential oil plants in Vietnam
The research works on essential oil in Vietnam started after
1956. During this time a series of researches on peppermint,
lemongrass, etc. were published. According to La Dinh Mo and Luu
Dam Cu (2001), until now, we have exploited from nature and
planted about 20 species of essential oil-bearing plants out of over
600 known species (only 3% of the total). The aforementioned
species are commonly planted species such as Lemongrass,
Peppermint, Fragrance, Camphor, Melaleuca, Cinnamon, Basil,
Anise, Patchouli, etc.
1.3. Research on chemical composition of essential oil in the world and in
Vietnam
5


1.3.1. Research on the chemical composition of essential oil in the world
1.3.1.1. Camphor family (Lauraceae)
Research on essential oils in the Camphor family (Lauraceae) has typical
works such as XD Ji et al. (1991), L. Zhu et al. (1993), Choudhury, S. N et al
(1995), Sriramavaratharajan, V. et al (2019), etc.
1.3.1.2. Magnoliaceae
Many scientific works have been studied on the chemical
composition of essential oils of Magnolia genus such as Theo Oyen
L.P.A., Nguyen Xuan Dung (1999), Grag, SN. & Sushil Kumar
(1999);Zheng et al. (2015), Scharf et al. (2016).
1.3.1.3. Ginger (Zingiberaceae)
In the Ginger family (Zingiberaceae), the study of chemical
composition of essential oils is concentrated in the main genera such
as Nghệ (Curcuma), Riềng (Alpinia),Gừng (Zingiber), Sa nhân
(Amomum). KC Wong et al (2005), B. Sabulal et al (2006), Zhenyang

CHAPTER 2
OBJECTIVES AND RESEARCH METHODS
2.1. Subjects and Research locations
The subject of research is essential oil-bearing plant species
distributed in Vu Quang National Park, Ha Tinh.
2.2. Time conducted for the research
The thesis was conducted from 2015 to 2019.
Each year, the sample is collected into 2 batch, each happens in
the interval of 7-10 days.
Research was carried out at Vu Quang National Park, Ha Tinh
Province
The total number of samples obtained was 1,200 samples. A total
of 1061 templates is collected and stored in the Plant Exhibition
room, at the Center of Laboratory Practice, Vinh University.

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The chemical composition of essential oils is analyzed at the
Chemical Institute of Natural Compounds, the Academy of Science
and Technology of Vietnam.
2.3. Research content
- Determining the composition of essential oil-bearing plant
species.
-Analyze the diversity of essential oil-bearing plants from these
following aspects:
+ Diversity in terms of branches, families, genera and species.
+ Diversity in terms of body form.
+ Diversity in terms of usage values of essential oil-bearing
plants

is then numbered. When collecting samples, the researchers make a
record of some characteristics that are easily faded away when the
samples are dried or soaked in alcohol or hormones such as colors,
latex, properties of flowers, leaves, etc. Also photos of trees are taken
with Canon digital cameras.
Classification: The research method used to classify is a
comparative morphological method. This is a traditional research
method that is being used today. This method is done based on
studying some characteristics of vegetative organs and reproductive
organs. Among the two, reproductive organs are the focus, such as
inflorescence position, flower structure (characteristics of bracts,
calyx, corolla, stamens, fruits, seeds, etc).
In the process of identifying scientific names of species, the
research relies on the classified work about Vietnamese plants (Pham
Hoang Ho, 1999-2000).
The following documents are also used: A handbook for
searching and identifying families of angiosperms in Vietnam (Nguyen
Tien Ban, 1997); Vietnamese timber trees (Forest Inventory and
Planning Institute, Ministry of Forestry) (1971-1989); Indochinese
General journal plants (1907); Chinese plantology (1994-2002);
Common plants found in Vietnam; Vietnamese plantology: Annonaceae
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family, Mint Family (Lamiaceae), Ginger family (Zingiberaceae),
Camphor family (Lauraceae)], Asteraceae and some other specialized
documents.
Rectification of scientific names and list development:
Revision of scientific names according to Vietnam’s Plant Species
List, RK Brummitt (1992) and

Specimens for distillation for essential oils are separate parts of
plants (leaves, branches, bark, stems, rhizomes, flowers, fruits). Each
sample collected are of between 0.5-3 kg in fresh condition. The
sample is inscribed with the serial number (this number coincides
with the model number for classification) and the time of collection.
After collection, the sample was chopped and distilled by steam
extraction method with reflux in Clevengert equipment for 2-4 hours
at normal pressure according to Vietnam Pharmacopoeia IV standard
(2009).
2.4.6. Methods of quantifying essential oils
Essential oils of various parts are quantified according to
method I of Vietnam Pharmacopoeia II (2002). The content of fresh
essential oil is calculated by the formula.
a x 0.9

X(%) =

b

x 100%

(when d
CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
3.1. Diversity of essential oil plants in Vu Quang National Park
3.1.1. Diversity in phyla and classes
Results of surveys and identification of essential oil-containing
plants in Vu Quang National Park, Ha Tinh .There are 366 species,
145 genera and 45 families of 2 vascular plant phyla (Table 3.1) that
have been identified.

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Table 3.1. Distribution of taxon with essential oils in some phyla of flora in Vu
Quang National Park
Family
Phylum

Number
of families

Genus

Num
Percentag ber of
e%
gener
a

Percent
age %

95,86

359

98,09

Magnoliopsida

34

75,56

120

86,33

304

84,68

Liliopsida

7

15,56

19

13,67


phylum dominating vascular plants.
The analysis of the taxons of two classes in the Magnoliophyta
phylum (Table 3.2), there are also some differences. Magnoliopsida
has a dominant taxon number of over 80% of the total number of
families, genera and species; The class of Onions (Liliopsida) accounts
for a low rate with 7 families (accounting for 16.67%); 19 genera
(accounting for 13.67%) and 55 species (accounting for 15.32%).
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Table 3.2. The ratio of two classes in the Magnolia phylum (Magnoliophyta)
Family
Name of
class

Genus

Species

Numbe
Numbe
Numbe
r of
Percentag
Percentag
Percentag
r of
r of
familie
e%


55

15.32

Tổng

41

100

139

100

359

100

Mag./Li
4,9
ratio.
3.1.2. Diversity in families

6,3

5,5

Of the 45 families recorded that contain essential oils, 32 families
(accounting for 71.11% of the total number of families) have a number of

tropical monsoon climate, with both low and high belts, therefore, it
is very convenient for camphor tree species to grow and develop.
Ginger family has 3 genera: Alpinia with 13 species, Amomum with 8
species, Zingiber with 7 species. The total number of species of the
three genera of the Ginger family is 28, accounting for 17.07% of the
total species. The Annonaceae family also has 3 genera: Fissistigma
with 11 species, Desmos and Uvaria with 5 species. The total number
of species of 3 genera is 21 species, accounting for 12.80%.
3.1.4. Comparing composition of essential oil plants in Vu Quang National Park
with that of Pu Mat National Park
- Compare with Pu Mat National Park
To see the diversity of essential oil-bearing plants in Vu Quang National Park,
Ha Tinh Province, the results were compared with essential oil species in Pu Mat
National Park (2016) by Nguyen Viet Hung (Table 3.5). .
Table 3.5: Comparison essential oil plants in Vu Quang with Pu Mat
Pu Mat (1)
Vu Quang
Phylum

Pinophyta

Percentage
of Vu Quang
to Pu Mat

Number Proportion Number Proportion
of
(%)
of
(%)


100

361
(1)

111,23
59,57

100

101,39

Nguyễn Viết Hùng (2016)

Thus, the results in (Table 3.5) show that the number of species
bearing essential oil and belonging to Conifer Phylum in Vu Quang
National Park when compared to that of Pu Mat National Park
accounts for 116.67% (7 species compared to 6 species); the number
of species of Magnoliaceae in Vu Quang is higher than that of Pu Mat
at 111.23% (359 compared to 355). The difference is not significant.
Meanwhile, the area of Vu Quang accounts for 59.57% compared to
that of Pu Mat. Thus, the above results show that the number of
species of essential oil-bearing plants in Vu Quang National Park is
higher than that of Pu Mat even though the area of Pu Mat is 1.8
times higher. The number of vascular plant species currently known
in Vu Quang National Park is 1.5 times higher than that in Pu Mat
National Park. The results show that the species of plants bearing
essential oils do not depend on the area and the number of species,
but investigation.

trunk

102
27,87

trunk

79
21,58
46
12,57

5

Shrubs (BUI)

31

8,47
Tổng
366
100
The table above shows that the herbaceous group has the
largest number of species with 108 species, accounting for 29.51% of
the total number of species, this type is found mainly in species of
families such as Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Ginger (Zingiberaceae),
Apiaceae, Araceae, Rice (Poaceae). The second most popular group is
trees with large woody trunk with 102 species, accounting for 27.87%
of the total number of species distributed in families such as
Podocarpaceae, Magnolia (Magnoliaceae), Camphor (Lauraceae),

value for essential oils, the use value of the species is classified into 7
different groups presented in (table 3.8).
Table 3.8. Usage value of essential oil-bearing plants in Vu Quang National
Park
No.
Use value
Symbol Number Percentag
of
e%
species *
1 Medicinal plants
THU
191
52,19
2 Timber trees
LGO
102
27,87
3 Edible trees
AND
47
12,84
4 Ornamental trees
CAN
17
4,64
5 Trees
for
toxic
DOC

Thomas), Hoàng đàn giả (Dacrydium elatum (Roxb.) Wall. ex
Hook.), Bộp lông (Actinodaphne pilosa (Lour.) Merr.), Gù hương
(Cinnamomum balansae Lecomte), Re xanh phấn (Cinnamomum
glaucescens (Nees) Hand.-Mazz.), Re hương (Cinnamomum
parthenoxylon (Jack) Meisn.), Vàng tâm (Manglietia dandyi
(Gagnep.) Dandy in S. Nilsson), Giổi lông (Michelia balansae (DC.)
Dandy), Giổi lụa (Tsoogiodendron odorum Chun.).
- Edible group: with 47 species, mainly vegetables and fruits,
such as Bơ (Persea americana Mill.), Trám trắng (Canarium album
(Lour.) Raeusch.), Trám đen (Canarium tramdenum Dai & Yakovl.),
Tàu bay (Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore), Chân
chim tám lá (Schefflera heptaphylla (L.) Frodin).
- Group of ornamental plants with 17 major species exploited
for decoration purposes due to beautiful flowers and stems such as
Hoa giẻ (Desmos chinensis Lour.), Hoa giẻ lông đen (Desmos
cochinchinensis Lour.), Mò đỏ (Clerodendrum japonicum (Thunb.)
Sweet), Bông ổi (Lantana camara L.), Ngải hoa trắng (Hedychium
coronarium Koenig), Giác đế miên (Goniothalamus tamirensis Pierre
ex Fin. & Gagnep.), Du sam núi đất (Keteleeria evelyniana Mast),
Đội mũ (Mitrephora calcarea Diels ex Ast).
- Group that produces fat oil with 20 species, accounting for
3.28%, includes Bời lời lá mềm (Litsea mollifolia Chun), Bời lời lá
vòng (Litsea verticillata Hance), Ô đước đuôi (Lindera caudata
(Nees) Hook.f.), Bời lời ba vì (Litsea baviensis Lecomte), Bời lời cam
bốt (Litsea cambodiana Lecomte), Nô trung bộ (Neolitsea chunii var.
annamensis Liou), Nô bầu dục (Neolitsea ellipsoides Allen),....
- Group of plants for spices and toxic substances with 14
species. Some typical examples are Bã đậu (Croton tiglium L.), Ngải
tiên vàng (Hedychum flavum Roxb.), Riềng nếp (Alpinia galanga (L.)
Willd.), Riềng tàu (Alpinia oblongifolia Hayata), Riềng thuốc

- Among the group with tropical elements, the Asian tropical is
the largest with 77 species, accounting for 21.04%, followed by
Indochina-Malezi with 29 species, accounting for 7.92%; IndochinaIndia and Indochina South China together with 27 species, accounting
for 7.38%; Indochina-Himalayas with 8 species, accounting for

20


2.19% and Indochina Endemic elements with 20 species, accounting
for 5.46%.
- Endemic and semi-endemic factor with 141 species,
accounting for 38.52% of total species. In particular, the endemic
factor with 62 species, accounting for 16.94% of the total number of
species; endemic element with 79 species, accounting for 21.58%.
Thus, the ratio of endemic factors indicates the importance of the
species of indigenous plants producing essential oils in Vu Quang
National Park. This ratio is also consistent with the findings of Thai
Van Trung (1978), Le Tran Chan et al. (1999) which suggest that
Vietnam's flora has over 30% of endemic and near endemic species.
Vu Quang National Park is a site of low to high mountainous terrain
(2,200 m) and has potential for further research to detect and add
more plant species into the statistics.
3.1.8. Diversity of rare and precious genetic resources
Based on the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007), the researchers have
listed 22 endangered plant species in 2 phyla, 15 families and 21
genera distributed in Vu Quang National Park, Ha Tinh province
(Table 3.10).
Table 3.10. Endangered essential oil-bearing plants in Vu Quang
National Park
No.


VU

4

Goniothalamus takhtajanii Ban

Giác đế tam đảo

CR

5

Aristolochia indica L.

Sơn dịch

VU

21


6

Asarum caudigerum Hance

Biến hoá

VU


VU

11

Cinnamomum cambodianum Lecomte

Re cam bốt

VU

12

Cinnamomum parthenxylon
(Jack) Meisn.

13

Endiandra hainanensis Merr. & Mect. ex
Allen

Khuyết nhị hải
nam

EN

14

Manglietia dandyi (Gagnep.) Dandy in S.
Nilsson


Ardisia silvestris Pitard

Lá khôi

VU

19

Kadsura heteroclita (Roxb.) Craib

Na rừng

VU

20

Limnophila rugosa (Roxb.) Merr.

Om hoa nhỏ

VU

21

Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lecomte

Trầm hương

EN


(Magnoliaceae), and Ginger (Zingiberaceae) for scientific names,
morphology, biology and ecology, distribution, research samples,
usage value, photos.
3.2. The chemical composition of essential oils analyzed at Vu Quang National
Park
3.2.1. Camphor family (Lauraceae)
The analysis results of 13 essential oil samples on the leaves,
branches and fruit parts of 9 species in the Camphor family
(Lauraceae) distributed in Vu Quang National Park, Ha Tinh are
summarized through (Table 3.21). Essential oil content ranges from
0.1% -0.31% of the fresh weight. Essential oils' colour is usually pale
yellow and lighter than that of water. The chemical composition is
determined to account for 90.7% -97.3% of the total amount of
essential oil. In essential oils are mainly monotecpen and sesquitecpen.
Table 3.21. Essential components of essential oils in different parts of some
species of the Camphor family (Lauraceae) in Vu Quang National Park
Number
Conten
of
Percentage of some main
No.
Species
Parts
t
compound components of essential oil
(%)
s identified
1 Cinnamomum
Leaves
0,31