Composition and antifungal activity of balsam from Liquidambar formosana Hance

Formosan sweet gum (Liquidambar formosana Hance) is a tree species endemic in Taiwan. In this study, the composition of balsam from L. formosana has been determined by several chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Among the 26 compounds identified, three new triterpenoids were detected, namely, 2 alpha,3 alpha-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-al (1), 3 alpha-hydroxyolean-12-en-30-ol (2), and 3 alpha-hydroxyolean-2-oxo-12-en-28-al (3). The most abundant volatile compounds were beta-caryophyllene (22.7%), alpha-pinene (23.3%), and beta-pinene (19.6%), and the most abundant nonvolatile compounds were 3 alpha,25-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (12, 19.1%), oleanonic aldehyde (9, 14.0%), and betulonic acid (15, 13.4%). The compounds 3 alpha,25-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid and bornyl cinnamate were found to be inhibitory for white rot (Lenzites betulina) and brown rot (Laetiporus sulphureus) fungi.