Chemical Composition and Utilization of Conifer Needles-A Review

The demand for new material sources is growing and there is an awakening interest in the use of forest residues. However, conifer needles are are still unexploited ones among forest residue. In most conifer growing areas, the needles basically serve as ground cover and can facilitate the spread of fires. For that reason, they are eliminated in many cases by chemical, biological and/or mechanical means. In this context, numerous studies and investigations have already been conducted for determining the anatomical and chemical characteristics of the conifer needles for better utilization practices. However, most studies focus on the anatomical and chemical structures, which depend on the species and have particular characteristics that range from their shape to the arrangement and chemical variations. It has already evaluated as used for pharmaceutical purposes, ornament materials, energy sources, environmental pollution indicator and pulp and paper making potantial. Some important findings have already been reported in literature. But much of the information was available on essential oils and medicinal compounds from some coniferous needles. There have already been exploited, differences among commercially important conifer little needle’s chemical constituents in literature. It has consistently reported that the change in compounds of needles depends on geographical, seasonal, and environmental situations. The conifer needles could receive rapid approval by consumers and has found to be beneficial to use in manufacturing alternative products including needles powder, extract liquids, soft drinks, healthy food supplements and some pharmaceutical products.