台灣土肉桂研究現況

Review: Research status of Indigenous Cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kanehira)

台灣土肉桂（Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kanehira）為一台灣特有種闊葉喬木植物，土肉桂不同於其他肉桂品種，其精油成分多存在葉部，成分有：cis-Cinnamaldehyde、trans-Cinnamaldehyde、4-Allylanisole、Benzaldehyde、Benzenepropanal、trans-β-Caryophyllene、trans-Cinnamyl acetate、L-Bornyl acetate、Linalool、Caryophyllene、α-Terpineol、γ-Cadinene、Eugenol、1,8-Cineol、Neral、Coumarin等，對病媒蚊幼蟲及塵螨具有良好毒殺效果外，也具有抗菌、抗白蟻、降尿酸、抗發炎、抗氧化、降血糖、降血脂、美白等生物活性。根據所含不同的精油化合物組成比例，將其劃分成不同化學品系，可供不同功效與用途開發研究。台灣土肉桂為台灣特有種喬木，適合台灣環境生長，主要活性物質多存在葉部，提煉精油或萃取成分採取生藥材時可避免砍伐，可增進林地合理利用。土肉桂中有效精油化學成分可以透過蒸餾提取或者溶劑萃取，其中酚類和揮發油化學成分，有助改善發炎與其他慢性病。依據文獻結果顯示土肉桂非常具有開發保健食品的潛力。 Indigenous Cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeumKanehira) is a Taiwan native broadleaf arborous plant. Different from other cinnamon species, the highest content essential oil of Indigenous Cinnamon is found in the leaves, the compounds of which include cis-Cinnamaldehyde, trans-Cinnamaldehyde, 4-Allylanisole, Benzaldehyde, Benzenepropanal, trans-β-Caryophyllene, trans-Cinnamyl acetate, L-Bornyl acetate, Linalool, Caryophyllene, α-Terpineol, γ-Cadinene, Eugenol, 1,8-Cineol, Neral, Coumarin. The ingredients of the cinnamon not only have excellent toxicity on mosquito larvae and dust mites but have bioactivities on antibacterial, termite resistance, hypouricemia, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, hypoglycemia, hypolipidemia and skin whitening. According to different compound's percentage, Indigenous Cinnamon is categorized to different chemical polymorphism, and can be used for research and development for different efficacy and functions. Indigenous Cinnamon is an endemic species of Taiwan, which is easy to grow into forests. Because major active substances exist in leaves, the felling can be avoided when essential oils or ingredients from raw materials are extracted, and reasonable forest use will be enhanced. The chemical composition and essential oils can be extracted by distillation or through solvent extraction. Indigenous Cinnamon's ingredients, such as phenols and volatile oils, can improve anti-inflammation and other chronic diseases. Many studies also show that Indigenous Cinnamon has potential to develop healthy food.