Phytochemical Compounds of Sumatra Camphor Oleoresin Originating from the West Coast of Sumatra, Indonesia

Sumatra camphor (Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn.) is a high-value non-timber forest product (NTFP) traditionally harvested by forest-dependent communities in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Despite its extensive ethnobotanical utilization in medicinal and olfactory applications, scientific data on its phytochemical composition remain limited. This study aims to characterize the physical and phytochemical properties of Sumatra camphor oleoresin, collected from natural population in the Pakpak Bharat of Sumatra, one of few remaining endemic habitats for this vulnerable species. Using traditional oleoresin extraction methods, two fractions—camphor oil and aqueous camphor—were collected and analysed. Phytochemical identification was conducted using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The analysis identified 79 compounds in camphor oil and 11 in the aqueous fraction, each with distinct profiles. Camphor oil was dominated by non-polar volatile compounds with pronounced olfactory properties and prospects bioactive activities, while aqueous camphor contained polar compounds such as carboxylic acids, esters, and alcohols, which have pharmacological and functional potential. These findings provide scientific evidence supporting the traditional utilization of Sumatran camphor and its bioactive potential for valorisation in plant-based cosmetic products, aromatherapy, and pharmaceutical industries. Furthermore, the results contribute to conservation-based bioeconomic strategies for managing Sumatra camphor sustainably as part of community-based forest management systems in Indonesia.