Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds and Aroma of Eight Bamboo Species Leaves

Bamboo forest healthcare tourism is a practical and sustainable management model that utilizes the medicinal functions of bamboo. However, the mechanism and potential functions of bamboo’s healthcare functions are still unclear. In this study, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are the core factor of bamboo forest healthcare were analyzed. The foliar VOCs of eight bamboo species, including Pleioblastus amarus (Keng) P. C. Keng, Pleioblastus maculatus (McClure) C. D. Chu et C. S. Chao, Pleioblastus juxianensis T. H. Wen, C. Y. Yao et S. Y. Chen, Acidosasa chienouensis (T. H. Wen) C. S. Chao et T. H. Wen, Pseudosasa amabilis (McClure) P. C. Keng ex S. L. Chen et al., Pseudosasa amabilis (McClure) Keng f., Phyllostachys rubromarginata McClure, and Phyllostachys hirtivagina G. H. Lai were qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME)–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Screening compounds by aroma vitality value (OAV) determined the key aromas. The results showed that a total of 40 VOCs were identified from the leaves of the eight bamboo species. The compounds with relatively high content were (Z)-3-Hexen-1-ol, (E)-2-Hexen-1-ol, 1-Hexanol, (E, E)-2,4-Hexadienal, Limonene, and so on. The commonality of different bamboo species was that the dominant groups consisted of alcohols and aldehydes. The significant differences in leaf VOCs among species presented classification. Pleioblastus amarus, Acidosasa chienouensis, Pseudosasa amabilis, and Phyllostachys rubromarginata were noticeably clustered together. The aroma of bamboo leaves is a combination of grassy, fruity, and piney notes by 24 VOCs. The key aroma from Pleioblastus amarus is leaf alcohol, which contributes to the grassy scent, while the piney aroma is dominant in Pseudosasa amabilis and Phyllostachys rubromarginata. The study provides a reference value for enriching the chemical information of subtropical bamboo and developing the functional potential of bamboo forest healthcare tourism.