Abstract: We examined the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of 11 common subtropical bamboo species by using a dynamic headspace sampling technique. Except for Bambusa multiplex cv. Fernleaf and Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. pubescens, the other nine species were all reported for the first time. The VOCs composition, relative contents, the pollution gases contained, and emission rates of isoprene (ISO) were analyzed. Given that the height of bamboo species would affect ISO emission, all bamboo species were divided as large, medium, and small groups and their ISO emission differences were also analyzed. The results showed that the compounds emitted from the 11 bamboo species could be classified into eight types, including hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, acids, esters, aldehydes, ethers, and other VOCs. In terms of total number of detailed compounds, 11 bamboo species emitted 339 kinds of compounds. Pseudosasa amabilis emitted the most diverse compounds (48 kinds), while Bambusa multiplex cv. Fernleaf emitted the least (11 kinds). No monoterpenes or sesquiterpenes were detected in 11 bamboo species. Seven bamboo species all emitted terpenes, all of which were composed of ISO. The VOCs components of 11 bamboo species contained six kinds of VOCs beneficial to human health and 16 kinds of air pollutants, among which Pseudosasa amabilis emitted the most kinds of pollutants and Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. pubescens emitted the largest relative contents. The ISO emission rates of the seven ISO-emitted bamboo species ranged from 0.16 to 7.75 μg·g^-1·h^-1. Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. pubescens had the highest ISO emission rates (7.75 μg·g^-1·h^-1), and the lowest was Pleioblastus china f. hisauchii (0.16 μg·g^-1·h^-1). Large bamboo species emitted more ISO than middle and small bamboo species, which was about six times of medium bamboo and 19 times of small bamboo.

Key words: bamboo, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), composition, isoprene, emission rate