Impact of Ozonation Process on the Content of Bioactive Compounds with Antioxidant Properties in Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Shoots as Well as Yield and Composition of Essential Oils

This study examined the impact of the ozonation procedure on the content of bioactive compounds in young shoots of Pinus sylvestris L. as well as on the yield and the composition of the essential oils and volatile fraction. The ozonation process consisted of exposure of the raw material during 5, 15 and 30 min to the ozone gas with the concentration of 10 and 100 ppm, and then it was stored for 24 hours. In the ozonated pine shoots, the content of vitamin C overall content of polyphenol content and antioxidant potential were determined. It was found that the investigated parameters increased as a result of the utilized procedure. The observed increase in the content of tested bioactive compounds was dependent on exposition time and was found to be highest for ozonated material for 15 min with ozone gas at a concentration of 10 ppm. As a result of the ozonation procedure the content of polyphenolic compounds and vitamin C content increased. Whereas it, did not have a significant effect on composition of the obtained essential oils. It was found that ozone is an effective elicitor, which allows increasing the content of bioactive compounds in pine shoots.