植物释放有益挥发性有机物研究进展

植物释放的有益挥发性有机物(Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds,BVOCs)作为一类重要医疗保健资源,除能够增强人体免疫力、调节情绪、治疗慢性疾病外,在大气环境质量、地球生态系统及全球碳循环平衡方面均发挥着多重作用,因此具有极高研究价值和应用前景.而在传统城市园林绿地植物选择和配置时...

Research Progress of Beneficial Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds Released from Plants

As important health care resources, beneficial biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) released by plants not only help enhance human immunity, regulate emotions, and treat chronic diseases, but also play multiple roles in improving atmospheric environmental quality, global ecosystem, and global carbon cycle balance. Therefore, research on BVOCs has important practical values. Traditionally, the selection and allocation of plants in urban gardens and greenspaces are usually determined based on their environmental adaptability, disease and insect resistance, and the ability to purify and beautify the environment, but their chemical ecological effect is seldom taken into account. Moreover, the benefits of BVOCs released by garden plants for the environment and human health are usually ignored. Based on a large body of domestic and foreign literature, this study summarized and described the components of beneficial volatile organic compounds(i.e., olefins, esters, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, organic acids and others),release time dynamics, influencing factors, applications, and controversies on this topic. The study identified the specific types of beneficial volatile organic compounds of different categories released by plants and their corresponding health effects. In addition,most studies on the temporal variation of BVOCs released from plants focused on the entire or various species, but few on beneficial components. Beneficial components of BVOCs have specific temporal variabilities. The number of species or the content of beneficial BVOCs released by coniferous species is greater than that released by broadleaf species. Most plants have different characteristics of beneficial BVOCs, and the release of beneficial BVOCs by plants at different growth stages is dynamic in nature. At present,temperature, light and relative humidity are the main environmental factors affecting the release of beneficial volatile organic compounds from plants. Due to the powerful physiological activity of BVOCs, it is easy for them to react with other compounds in the atmosphere, especially atmospheric pollutants that produce substances harmful for human health or the ecological environment. The study provides a strong theoretical basis for scientific selection and allocation of greening and healthy tree species in Beijing and even northern cities, and for the establishment of an ‘ecological and health-promoting urban green space’. Furthermore, the study informs the selection of appropriate times for doing outdoor health activities that are beneficial for one’s health.