The Fragrant Family of Tyson
Exploring the Diverse Chemistry of Lauraceae Trees

Madelyn Crossen, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ‘28
Jonathan Myers, Tyson Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis

Presented at the Tyson Summer Research Symposium on July 30, 2026 at Tyson Research Center in Eureka, MO.

References

  1. Chen, S., Zhang, L., Cai, X., Li, X., Bian, L., Luo, Z., Li, Z., Chen, Z., & Xin, Z. (2020). (E)-Nerolidol is a volatile signal that induces defenses against insects and pathogens in tea plants. Horticulture Research, 7(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-020-0275-7

  2. Damasceno, C. S. B., Fabri Higaki, N. T., Dias, J. de F. G., Miguel, M. D., & Miguel, O. G. (2019). Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Essential Oils in the Family Lauraceae: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Planta Medica, 85(13), 1054–1072. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0943-1908

  3. Degenhardt, J. (2009). Indirect Defense Responses to Herbivory in Grasses. Plant Physiology, 149(1), 96–102. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.108.128975

  4. Elshafie, H. S., Camele, I. N., & Mohamed, A. A. (2023). A Comprehensive Review on the Biological, Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Properties of Secondary Metabolites Based-Plant Origin. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(4), 3266–3266. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043266

  5. Farias, K. S., Alves, F. M., Santos-Zanuncio, V. S., de Sousa Jr, P. T., Silva, D. B., & Carollo, C. A. (2023). Global distribution of the chemical constituents and antibacterial activity of essential oils in Lauraceae family: A review. South African Journal of Botany, 155, 214–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2023.02.028

  6. Gant, R. E., & Edward E. C. Clebsch. (1975). The Allelopathic Influences of Sassafras albidum in Old-field Succession in Tennessee. Ecology, 56(3), 604–615. https://doi-org.ezp1.lib.umn.edu/10.2307/1935494

  7. Griggs, M. Sassafras albidum (Nutt. In www.srs.fs.usda.gov. https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/sassafras/albidum.htm

  8. Koitabashi, R., Suzuki, T., Kawazu, T., Sakai, A., Kuroiwa, H., & Kuroiwa, T. (1997). 1,8-Cineole inhibits root growth and DNA synthesis in the root apical meristem ofBrassica campestris L. Journal of Plant Research, 110(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02506836

  9. Plant Guide Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume Plant Symbol = LIBE3https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_libe3.pdf

  10. Radice, M., Durofil, A., Buzzi, R., Baldini, E., Martínez, A. P., Scalvenzi, L., & Manfredini, S. (2022). Alpha-Phellandrene and Alpha-Phellandrene-Rich Essential Oils: A Systematic Review of Biological Activities, Pharmaceutical and Food Applications. Life, 12(10), 1602. https://doi.org/10.3390/life12101602

  11. Sethi, M. L., Subba, R. G., B.K. Chowdhury, J.F. Morton, & Kapadia, G. J. (1976). Identification of volatile constituents of Sassafras albidum root oil. Phytochemistry, 15(11), 1773–1775. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9422(00)97480-6

  12. Simić, A., Soković, M.D., Ristić, M., Grujić-Jovanović, S., Vukojević, J. and Marin, P.D. (2004), The chemical composition of some Lauraceae essential oils and their antifungal activities. Phytother. Res., 18: 713-717. https://doi-org.ezp1.lib.umn.edu/10.1002/ptr.1516 

  13. Tan, K. H., & Nishida, R. (2012). Methyl Eugenol: Its Occurrence, Distribution, and Role in Nature, Especially in Relation to Insect Behavior and Pollination. Journal of Insect Science, 12, 56. https://doi.org/10.1673/031.012.5601

  14. Tucker, A. O., Maciarello, M. J., Pearl W. Burbage, & Sturtz, G. (1994). Spicebush [Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume var. benzoin, Lauraceae]: A Tea, Spice, and Medicine. Economic Botany, 48(3), 333–336. http://www.jstor.org.ezp2.lib.umn.edu/stable/4255649