Nghiên cứu thành phần loài thực vật có chứa tinh dầu ở vườn quốc gia vũ quang, tỉnh hà tĩnh tt tiếng anh

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

INTRODUCTION
1. Rationale
Located in the tropical monsoon region, Vietnam is ranked in
the sixteenth in the world in terms of biodiversity. According to the
record and description in the “Indochinese General Plant” (Flore
Générale de l’Indochine) and its subsequent collections, there are
over 240 families with over 7,000 vascular plant species. In recent
years, many botanists have predicted that the figure could reach over
12,000 species. Currently, there have been about 10,500 species of
vascular plants, of which about 657 species belonging to 357 genera
and 114 families containing essential oils (accounting for about 6.3%
of total species; 15.8% of total genera and 37.8% of total families).
Along with the development of the society, the need to learn and
to use compounds of natural origin is increasing. Among the plants
that are considered as an important resource, those plants containing
essential oils play an important part. This is an essential source of
many industries such as cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals, etc.
Most essential oil-bearing plants are in the two branches of Pinus
(Pinophyta) and the Magnolia (Magnoliophyta). The family which
have many species of essential oil plants include Cúc (Asteraceae),
Cam (Rutaceae), Na (Annonaceae), Long não (Lauraceae), Bạc hà
(Lamiaceae), Hoa tán (Apiaceae), Hoa hồng (Rosaceae), Dầu
(Dipterocarpaceae), Nhài (Oleaceae), Thông (Pinaceae), Hoàng đàn
(Cupressaceae).
Today, essential oils are widely used in many industries, especially the food,
pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Especially in the field of cosmetics,
essential oil is an indispensable material. Although there is an increase in synthetic
aromatics, these artificial products cannot replace natural oils, because they do not

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

National Park, Ha Tinh Province.
- For the first time to provide data on essential oils of 9 species
(Bời lời lá thuôn (Litsea elongata (Wall. Ex Nees) Hook.f.), Bời lời
phiến lá thon (Litsea lancilimba Merr.), Bời lời biến thiên (Litsea
variabilis Hemsl.), Kháo vàng thơm (Machilus bonii Lecomte), Kháo
nhậm (Machilus odoratissima Nees), Nô vàng(Neolitsea aurata
(Hayata) Koidz.), Nô bui san (Neolitsea buisanensis Yam. & Kam.),
2


Vàng tâm (Manglietia dandyi (Gagnep.) Dandy), Sa nhân lông hung
(Amomum velutinum X. E. Ye, Skprnick. & N. H. Xia)
5. The structure of the thesis
The thesis consists of 128 pages, 30 tables, 7 pictures, 39 photos structured into
the following main sections: Introduction (3 pages); Chapter 1: Literature review (28
pages); Chapter 2: Objects, content and research methods (8 pages); Chapter 3:
Research findings (86 pages); Conclusions and recommendations (2 pages); List of
published works related to the thesis (2 pages); References (14 pages) and appendix
(including 3 appendices, 114 photos).

CHAPTER 1
LITERATURE REVIEW
1.1. Some concepts of essential oils
1.1.1. General concept of an essential oil-bearing plant
there was no exact definition of an essential oil-bearing plant
before. When some oil compounds were found that included in the
body of all organisms (animals’ bile acids, carotene in most plants,
etc). As such, there is no clear boundary between essential oil-bearing
plants and other plants. From this perspective, Nicolaev (1968)
defined: “Essential oil-bearing plants are those different from other

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 (d<1), some have a greater
density than water (d>1), 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:

- Aliphatic compounds
- Terpenes and their derivatives.
- Benzene derivatives.
- Other ingredients
1.2. Studying essential oil-bearing plants
1.2.1. Research on essential oil-bearing plants in the world
So far there are not enough documents to visualize the history of
studies on essential oil-bearing plants in the world. The earliest
4


available document is the “Medicinal Plants” found in Japan, written
in 890. In this document, there are nearly 100 species of essential oilbearing plants, and it describes the process of producing and using
these plants.
However, research on essential oils and essential oils plants
started to attract a lot of attention from researchers in the early
twentieth century. The most remarkable works are those published by
Charabot and his students in 1903, 1904, and 1907. At later times,
there was a boom in the number of researches varying in many fields.
According to Brian M. Lawrence in “Progress in essential oils”
(1992-1994) and “Essential oils” (1995-2005), the author has
estimated about 1,000 species of essential oil-bearing plants that have
been analyzed for chemical composition in the world. According to
LPA Oyen and Nguyen Xuan Dung (1999) in the project “Essential
oil plants in South-East Asia”, in Southeast Asian countries, over 70
species of essential oil plants have been analyzed for chemical
composition, in which about 30 species have been studied quite
comprehensively from biological characteristics, ecology,
distribution, ability to grow, develop, use, yield and be harm by pest,
traded for commercial purposes.

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

Chen et al (2019), Marliani L. et al. (2016), S. Thubthimthed et al.
(2005), Wang et al. (2015)
1.3.2. Research on chemical composition of essential oil in Vietnam
1.3.2.1. Study on chemical composition of essential oil of Camphor
(Lauraceae)
Research on Camphor’s essential oil (Lauraceae) focuses mainly
on the genera Cinnamomum, Litsea, Machilus, Phoebe. There are
some typical works such as: Nguyen Xuan Dung (1996), Tran Dinh
Thang et al (2005), Le Cong Son (2013), Do Ngoc Dai et al (2019).
1.3.2.2. Study on chemical composition of Magnoliaceae family
Many studies have been done on essential oil-bearing plants of
Magnoliaceae family by Dung et al. (1997), Lesueur et al. (2007), Do
et al. (2016a), Bui Van Huong et al (2014), Do et al. (2016b), ...

6


1.3.2.3. Study on chemical composition of essential oil-bearing plants of
Ginger family (Zingiberaceae)
In Vietnam, the study of the chemical composition of their
essential oil-bearing plants of ginger family (Zingberaceae) is typical
of the works of Nguyen Xuan Dung et al (1996), Nguyen Xuan Dung
et al (2005), Phan Minh Giang et al (2007), Le Thi My Chau et al
(2015) , Le Thi Huong (2016), Le Thi Huong, et al (2019), Nguyen
Thanh Hung et al (2018), etc.
1.4. The natural, socio-economic conditions of Vu Quang National Park
This section outlines geographical location, terrain, climatic
characteristics, socioeconomic characteristics, flora and fauna of the
research area.

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.

7


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

+ Diversity in terms of geographical factors of essential oilbearing plants
+ Diversity in terms of gene sources that are rare and precious,
as well as, conservation status.
- Analyze the chemical composition of essential oils of some
important plants of the families.
2.4. Research methodology
2.4.1. Researching from secondary survey
Data on natural and socio-economic conditions in the study
area, plant samples kept in domestic and foreign museums, published
works related to the topic.
2.4.2. Methodology of field investigations and surveys
Based on the map, some main areas were chosen to survey.
There are 05 main typical areas which are representative for Vu
Quang National Park. The first route is Park Center to Sao La Station
– Po Mu. The second route is Park Center – Co station (Trạm Cò) –
Phan fortress (Thành Cụ Phan) – De slope (Dốc Dẻ). The third route
8


is Son Kim I. The fourth route is Son Kim II.The fith route is Huong
Khe. The process and fieldwork survey were applied following the
method introduced by Nguyen Nghia Thin in “Plant research
methods” (2007).
To identify essential oil-bearing plants, it is often necessary to
look up published documents about the chemical composition of
essential oils and rely on photosensitivity (using nose to smell for
fragrance) during field investigation.
2.4.3. Methods of sampling and classification
Sampling: For each type of tree, 1-3 specimens are usually
collected from the same place. After collecting the sample, the sample

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
9


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

2.4.4. Methods to assess the diversity of the flora
-Diversity of taxon of flora: According to “Handbook of
biodiversity research” by Nguyen Nghia Thin (1997):
- Diversity of the trunk types: Based on the records of field
surveys as well as related documents (Specifically, the names of
Vietnamese forest trees to collect and evaluate the different forms of
trunks of essential oil-bearing trees.
- Diversity in the application of the flora: The application
value of essential oil bearning plants is explored from documents
such as: “Dictionary of Vietnamese medicinal plants” (Vo Van Chi,
2012), “1900 species of useful plants in Vietnam” (Tran Dinh Ly et
al, 1993), “List of Vietnamese plant species” (Nguyen Tien Ban
(Editor) et al, 2003, 2005), “External forest products Vietnamese
timber “(Trieu Van Hung et al, 2007),” Vietnamese medicinal plants
and herbs “(Do Tat Loi, 2003),” Vietnamese medicinal plants, how to
grow, pick, process, and treat” (Le Tran Duc, 1997), “Medicinal
plants and animals in Vietnam” (Do Huy Bich et al, 2004), etc.
- Geographical diversity
Establish the spectrum of geographical factors, and apply the
division of the authors Póc Tamás (1965), Le Tran Chan (1999) and
Nguyen Nghia Thin (2007).
- Diversity of rare and precious plant species and conservation
issues: Based on the Vietnam Red Book (2007), including extinct
species (EX), extinct species in nature (EW), critically endangered
10


species (CR), endangered species (EN), vulnerable species (VU), low
risk species (LR).
2.4.5. Collect samples and distill essential oil

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<1)

Or follow the formula
a

X(%) =

b

x 100%

(when d>1)

In which: a is the volume of essential oil, measured in ml
b is the mass of the sample, measured in grams.
Essential oils are dried with anhydrous Na 2SO4, stored in
standard sealed jars, stored at 0-5oC before being analyzed.
11


2.4.7. Methods of analyzing chemical composition of essential oils
Preparation of analytical sample for gas chromatography:
Dissolve 1.5 mg of dried essential oil with anhydrous Na 2SO4 in 1 ml
of pure hexane of the type used for chromatographic analysis.
+ Gas chromatography (GC) with FID probe: Made on Agilent
Technologies HP 7890A Plus with FID detector, HP-5MS capillary
column at length of 30 m, inner diameter (ID) = 0.25 mm, a layer of
0.25m-film with hydrogen as carrier gas. The injection chamber
temperature is 250 ° C. Detector temperature is 260oC. Program the
temperature of 60 ° C (2 min), increase by 4 ° C / min until 220 ° C, stop
at this temperature for 10 minutes.
+ Gas chromatography (GC / MS): This is performed on Agilent
Technologies HP 7890A / HP 5973 MSD combined gas
chromatography system with separation column and chromatographic
operating conditions as mentioned above and with Helium as carrier
gas.
2.4.8. Method of data processing
Data are processed using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 software.

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.

12


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 %

Species
Numbe
Percent
r of
age %
species

Pinophyta

4

8,89

6

4,14

7

1,91

Magnoliophyta

41

91,11

139

95,86

359

98,09

Magnoliopsida

34

75,56

120

86,33

304

84,68

Liliopsida

7

15,56

19

13,67

55

15,32

45

100

145

100

366

100

Tổng

The results of the table above show that essential oil-bearing
plants in Vu Quang National Park belong to 2 phyla: Pine
(Pinophyta) and Ngoc Lan (Magnoliophyta), of which the species
are mainly concentrated in Ngoc Lan phylum (Magnoliophyta) with
359 species, accounting for 98.09% of the total number of species,
139 genera, accounting for 95.86% and 41 families, accounting for
91.11% of the total number of families; Pinophyta with 7 species,
accounting for 1.91%; 6 genera, accounting for 4.14% and 4
families, accounting for 8.89% of the total number of families. Thus,
the essential oil-bearing species concentrate in the phylum of Ngoc
Lan with over 90% of genera and species, which is quite reasonable
compared to the evolution of plants because the Magnoliophyta is an

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%).
13


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%

e%
e%
genera
species
s

Magnoliopsid
a

34

82.93

120

86.33

304

84.68

Liliopsida

7

17.07

19

13.67

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

spieces ranging from 1 to 4 with a total of 69 species accounting for only
18.85% of the total spieces. There are 5 families (accounting for 11.11%
of the total families) with the number of species from 6 to 10 species,
with the total of 40 species accounting for 10.93%. There are 4 families
(accounting for 8.89% of the total families) of 11-14 species, with a total
of 51 species accounting for 13.93%. There are 4 families vvith more
than 21 species with 206 species, acounting for 56.28%.
3.1.3. Diversity of genera
Essential oil-bearing plant species in Vu Quang National Park belong to 145
genera. In particular, the number of species distributed in the genera is uneven. There
are 17 genera accounting for 11.72% of the total number of genera, but there are 164
species accounting for 44.81% of the total species. The number of genera with the
number of species less than 5 is 128 genera (accounting for 88.28%), with a total of
202 species accounting for 55.19%. The genera with species which produce more
essential oils are Litsea with 25 species, Cinnamomum with 21 species, followed by
Alpinia – 13 species, Piper and Fissistigma with 11 species and Syzygium – 10
species. The remaining genera have the number of species ranging from 5 to 9.
14


Further analysis of the genera having essential oil-bearing
species in Vu Quang National Park showed that 17 genera have more
than 5 species belonging to 7 families: Camphor (Lauraceae), Ginger
(Zingiberaceae), Annonaceae, Pepper (Piperaceae), Myrtaceae,
Magnoliaceae, Euphorbiaceae. Of which, the Camphor family has 7
genera (accounting for 41.17%) with 81 species, accounting for
49.39%. The results of this analysis show that in Vu Quang National
Park, the Camphor family is very diverse and abundant. This is also
perfectly reasonable, because camphor trees are adapted to the local
climatic conditions, … while Vu Quang National Park is home to

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
(%)

species
species
7

1,91

6
15

1,66

116,67


Magnoliophyta

359

Area (ha??????)
Tổng

98,09

355

56.000
366

98,34
94.000

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.

3.1.5. Diversity in trunk form
Through surveys which record the trunk form of essential oilbearing plants in Vu Quang National Park, and also based on "Names of
Vietnamese forest trees", there are five main types of trees whose trunk
types having been classified: trees whose trunk is large, trees whose
trunk is small, shrubs, liana and herbaceous plants (Table 3.7).
Table 3.7. Trunk forms of some essential oil-bearing plants in Vu Quang National
Park
No.
Trunk forms
Number of Percentage %
species
1
Herbaceous (THA)
108
29,51
16


2
3
4

Large
woody
(GOL)
Small
woody
(GON)
Liana (BTR)

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),

Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae. Trees with small woody trunks are mainly
found in some representatives from Camphor family (Lauraceae),
Verbena
(Verbenaceae),
Myrtaceae,
Orange
(Rutaceae),
Annona(Annonaceae). Liana with 46 species, accounting for 12.57%
concentrated in the Annona (Annonaceae), Pepper (Piperaceae),
Jasmine (Oleaceae), Orange (Rutaceae). The least popular type is
shrubs with 31 species, accounting for 8.47%, mainly from the
Myrtaceae family, Verbena (Verbenaceae), Orange (Rutaceae)
Euphorbias (Euphorbiaceae), Ginseng (Araliaceae), Annona
(Annonaceae), etc. Thus, the main type of the essential oil-bearing
species is the herbaceous plant which is a group of plants that grow
and develop quickly. Their life span is short but they produce large
biomass. Therefore, these findings contribute to the orientation for
planting, exploiting and using plant resources for essential oils
effectively.
3.1.6. Diversity of usage value
The results of the statistical study of the use of essential oils
bearing plants in Vu Quang National Park show that the species are
not only used for essential oils but also for other uses. For example,
17


they can be used as medicine, food and spice. The documents used
for lookup are Vietnamese medicinal plants dictionary by Vo Van Chi
(2012), 1,900 useful tree species by Tran Dinh Ly et al (1993), List of
Vietnamese plant species of Nguyen Tien Ban et al. In addition to the

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

6
substance
1,64
6 Trees for spice
CGV
8
2,19
7 Trees for oil
CDB
20
5,46
* 01 species can have 01 or more different usages
- Group of medicinal plants: Except from plants that produce
essential oils, the group of medicinal plants has the largest number of
species with 191 species, accounting for 52.19% of the total number
of species, the species used as common medicine: Thạch xương bồ
(Acorus gramineus Soland), Sơn thục (Homalomena occulta (Lour.)
Schott.), Kim tuyến tơ (Anoectochilus setaceus Blume), Hương bài
(Dianella ensifolia (L.) DC.), Nhân trần (Andenosma cacrulenm R.
Br.), Nắm cơm (Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A. C. Smith), Na rừng
(Kadsura heteroclita (Roxb.) Craib), Cơm rượu (Glycosmis
pentaphylla (Retz.) Correa), Hồng bì dại (Clausenna excavata
Burm.f.), Nhài thon (Jasminum lanceolaria Roxb.), Lá khôi (Ardisia
silvestris Pitard) ...
- Group of timber trees with 102 species, accounting for
27.87% of the total number of species with valuable species of timber
such as Pơ mu (Fokienia hodginsii (Dunn) A. Henry & H. H.
18

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

(Alpinia officinarum Hance),...
3.1.7. Diversity of geographical factors
19


Plant geographic factor refers to a species that is endemic or
migratory. It is a criterium to understand the degree of similarity or
difference in the geographical distribution of plant species. Therefore,
when studying the geographical factors of essential oil-bearing
species in Vu Quang National Park, based on the classification
framework of Nguyen Nghia Thin (2007), it is divided into 8 main
factors.
The results of the table above show that, among 366 species of
essential oil trees, 363 species are identified, accounting for 99.08%
of the total number of species, and 3 species without information
should be classified as not yet identified.
- Group of tropical elements with 188 species, accounting for
51.37% of the total number of species. It is completely dominant
compared to the remaining groups of essential oil-bearing plants in
Vu Quang.
- Group of tropical ancient element with 13 species, accounting
for 3.55% of the total number of species. This is the factor in which
the species extends from Australia to Asia and Africa.
- Group with the temperate zone factor has 7 species,
accounting for 1.91% of the total number of species, mainly
distributed in the temperate North region with 1 species, Northeast
Asia to Japan with 6 species.
- Group of plant element with 6 species, accounting for 1.64%
of the total number of species. The species is mainly acclimatized and
is now widely distributed in the wild.

- 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.

Vietnamese
names

Scientific names

Critical
Level

1

Fokienia hodginsii (Dunn) A. Henry & H. H. Pơ mu
Thomas

EN

2

Keteleeria evelyniana Mast

Du sam núi đất

VU

3

Ecosanthellum plagioneurum (Diels) Ban

Nhọc trái khớp lá
thuôn

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

7

Mahonia nepalensis DC.

Mã hồ

VU

8

Canarium tramdenum Dai & Yakovl.

Trám đen

VU

9

Actinodaphne ellipticibacca Kosterm.

Bộp quả bầu dục

VU

10

Cinnamomum balansae Lecomte

Gù hương

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

Vàng tâm

VU

15

Michelia balansae (DC.) Dandy

Giổi lông

VU

16

Tsoogiodendron odorum Chun.

Giổi lụa

VU

17

Aglaia spectabilis (Miq.) Jain & Bennet.

Gội nếp

VU

18

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

22

Anoectochilus setaceus Blume

Kim tuyến tơ

EN

Re hương

CR

Note: CR: Critically Endangered; EN: Endangered; VU:
Vulnerable.
Out of 22 species identified as threatened with extinction at
different levels, 2 species are critically endangered (CR) and 4
species are in danger of extinction in the wild, in the near future; 16
22


vulnerable species (VU) are at great risk of extinction in the wild in
the near future. (Some unique species such as Pơ mu (Fokienia
hodginsii (Dunn) A. Henry & H. H. Thomas), Du sam núi đất
(Keteleeria evelyniana Mast), Vàng tâm (Manglietia dandyi
(Gagnep.) Dandy in S. Nilsson)... which are found here).
According to Decree 06/2019, 12 species were identified, belonging to 9
genera of 8 families distributed in Vu Quang National Park, Ha Tinh
3.1.9. Description of the biological characteristics of the species analyzed
Description of the biological characteristics of 17 species of 3
essential oil-bearing plant families: Camphor (Lauraceae), Magnolia

(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

54
α-pinen (12.2%),
sericans
spathulenol
(8.7%),
23