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Physiological and Psychological Effects of Volatile Organic Compounds from Dried Common Rush ( Juncus effusus L. var. decipiens Buchen.) on Humans

Author

Listed:
  • Minkai Sun

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215000, China
    Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 8190395, Japan)

  • Taisuke Nakashima

    (Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 8190395, Japan
    Co-first author.)

  • Yuri Yoshimura

    (Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 8190395, Japan)

  • Akiyoshi Honden

    (Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 8190395, Japan)

  • Toshinori Nakagawa

    (Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 8190395, Japan
    Department of Biological Resources Management, The University of Shiga Prefecture, Hikone 5228533, Japan)

  • Yu Nakashima

    (Kumamoto Prefectural Agricultural Research Center Agricultural System Research Institute, Yatsushiro 8694201, Japan)

  • Makoto Kawaguchi

    (Kumamoto Prefectural Agricultural Research Center Agricultural System Research Institute, Yatsushiro 8694201, Japan)

  • Yukimitsu Takamori

    (Kumamoto Prefectural Agricultural Research Center Agricultural System Research Institute, Yatsushiro 8694201, Japan)

  • Yoshitaka Koshi

    (Kumamoto Prefectural Agricultural Research Center Agricultural System Research Institute, Yatsushiro 8694201, Japan)

  • Rimpei Sawada

    (Kumamoto Prefectural Agricultural Research Center Agricultural System Research Institute, Yatsushiro 8694201, Japan)

  • Shinsuke Nishida

    (Kumamoto Prefectural Agricultural Research Center Agricultural System Research Institute, Yatsushiro 8694201, Japan)

  • Koichiro Ohnuki

    (Faculty of Humanity-Oriented Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Iizuka 8200011, Japan)

  • Kuniyoshi Shimizu

    (Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 8190395, Japan)

Abstract

This study compared the participants’ physiological responses and subjective evaluations of air scented with different concentrations of common rush ( Juncus effusus L. var. decipiens Buchen.) (30 g and 15 g, with fresh air as a control). We asked 20 participants to complete a series of visual discrimination tasks while inhaling two different air samples. We evaluated (1) brain activity, (2) autonomic nervous activity, and (3) blood pressure and pulse rate, (4) in combination with self-evaluation. In addition, we quantified the concentrations of volatile organic compounds. The participants reported the scent to be sour, pungent, and smelly; this impression was likely caused by hexanal and acetic acid. Although the self-evaluations showed that participants did not enjoy the scent, their alpha amplitudes of electroencephalogram and parasympathetic nervous activity were increased, suggesting that participants were relaxed in this atmosphere. Moreover, a lower concentration resulted in a greater induction of relaxation. While the air was not pleasant-smelling, the volatile organic compounds present had a positive psychophysiological impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Minkai Sun & Taisuke Nakashima & Yuri Yoshimura & Akiyoshi Honden & Toshinori Nakagawa & Yu Nakashima & Makoto Kawaguchi & Yukimitsu Takamori & Yoshitaka Koshi & Rimpei Sawada & Shinsuke Nishida & Koi, 2022. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Volatile Organic Compounds from Dried Common Rush ( Juncus effusus L. var. decipiens Buchen.) on Humans," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1856-:d:743725
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