Characteristic Scent from the Tahitian Liverwort, Cyathodium foetidissimum.

The volatile components of the Tahitian liverwort Cyathodium foetidissimum was analyzed using headspace solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) and GC-MS. Three volatile components, 4-methoxystyrene (24.4%), 3,4-dimethoxystyrene (28.7%), and skatole (15.9%) were identified as the major components from the fresh C. foetidissimum, along with several aliphatic aldehydes, n-octanal, n-nonanal, and n-decanal. However, (E)-2-nonenal recognized as aged malodor was not identified. In GC-O analysis, 2-aminoacetophenone was detected as one of the minor components with a strong aging note. In fact, C. foetidissimum showed the characteristic aging odor reminiscent the damp smell from old chest of drawers, or the civet like note with very strong feces and urine odor. The mixture consisted of 4-methoxystyrene, 3,4-dimethoxystyrene, and skatole in the detected ratio showed the sedative effect on CNV (contingent negative variation) measurement.

Comparative Study on Volatile Compounds of Alpinia japonica and Elettaria cardamomum.

The volatile compounds obtained from the ether extracts, headspace gases and steam distillates of Alpinia japonica and Elettaria cardamomum were analyzed by GC/MS. Both species were rich sources of naturally rare fenchane-type monoterpenoids, fenchene, fenchone, fenchyl alcohol and its acetate, together with 1,8-cineole. The distributions of volatile sesquiterpenoids were very poor in both species. Chiralities of fenchone in A. japonica and E. cardamomum were 99% of (1S,4R)-(+)-form. Camphor in A. japonica is composed of a mixture of (1R,4R)-(+)-form (94.3%) and (1S,4S)-(-)-form (5.7%). On the other hand, E. cardamomum produced only (1R,4R)-(+)-camphor (99%).

Volatile Compounds from the Different Organs of Houttuynia cordata and Litsea cubeba (L. citriodora).

The volatile compounds obtained from the different organs of Houttuynia cordata (Saururaceae) and Litsea cubeba (Lauraceae) were analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), Headspace Solid Phase Micro Extraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS), and GC/olfactometry (GC/O). The major component of all parts of H. cordata is assigned as 4-tridecanone. Each organ produces myrcene as the major monoterpenoid. The major monoterpene in the rhizomes and roots was ß-pinene instead of myrcene. 1-Decanal which was responsible for the unpleasant odor of this plant, was the predominant polyketide in both leaves and stems. The presence of 1-decanal was very poor in flowers, stem collected in summer, rhizomes, and roots. GC/MS analyses were very simple in case of the crude extracts of flowers. The content of sesquiterpenoids was extremely poor. (8Z)-Heptadecene, geranial, and neral were detected as the major components in Litsea cubeba. Odor-contributing components by GC/O analysis of the ether extract of the fresh flowers of L. cubeba were neral and geranial which played an important role in sweet-lemon fragrance of the flowers. The role of a high content of (8Z)-heptadecene was still unknown but it might play a significant role in the dispersion of the volatile monoterpene hydrocarbons and aldehydes. The flower volatiles of the Japanese L. cubeba were chemically quite different from those of the Chinese same species.

Characteristic Volatile Components of Trifoliate Orange Peel (Poncirus trifoliata).

The volatile components of the peel of trifoliate orange {Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.}, family Rutaceae, were investigated using SAFE technique after solvent extraction. Limonene was the most abundant component in the peel aroma extract, followed by myrcene, trans-D-ocimcne, -indole, P-caryophyllenc, (ME,6E)-ra-famescne, germacrene D, and j-phcllandrcne. In this study, the single sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compound, 4-methyl-5-vinylthiazole, and two macrocyclic lactones, cyclododecanolide and (7Z,IOZ,13Z)-hexadecatrien-16-olide, were identified as citrus aroma components for thefirst time. As aresultof AEDA for the polar fraction of the aroma extract, indole, ethyl octanoate and those macrocyclic lactones with musky notes were found to be responsible f or the characteristic aroma profile of the peel of trifoliate orange. The enantiomeric distributions of the four odor-active components, linalool, P-citronellol, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, and 2-methylbutanoic acid, were also determined by means of multidimensional chiral GC/MS.

Odor-Active Components of Luo Han Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii).

The volatile components -of the dried fruit of Luo Han Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii Swingle) belonging to the family Cucurbitaeae were analyzed by AROMASCOPE® technique using MonoTrap® DCC 18 as an absorbent. A total of 124 volatile components were identified from the headspace aroma solvent extract. The major components were ethanol, butan-l-ol, pentanal, 2-methylbutanal, hexanal, furfural, pent-3-en-2-one, acetic acid, propionic acid, 3- methylbutanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and so on. Among them, acetic acid, 3-methylbutanoic acid, and 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethylfuran-2(5H)-one (sotolon) strongly contributed to the overall aroma of the fruit. Besides, sotolon and 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methylfuran-2(5H)-one (maple furanone) were responsible for - the characteristic molasses-like aroma of the fruit.

Characteristic volatile components of Kabosu (Citrus sphaerocarpa Hort. ex Tanaka).

The volatile components of both peel and juice of Japanese citrus, Kabosu (Citrus sphaerocarpa Hort. ex Tanaka) were investigated using SAFE (Solvent Assisted Flavor Evaporation) technique after solvent extraction. In this study, wine lactone, rose oxide, (2E)-4,5-epoxy-2-decenal, mintsulfide, and indole were newly identified from Kabosu. AEDA (Aroma Extract Dilution Analysis) of the oxygenated fraction of the peel extract showed high FD (Flavor Dilution) factors for linalool, (2E)-4,5-epoxy-2-decenal, octanal, (4Z)-decenal, beta-citronellol, geraniol, and wine lactone, while wine lactone, linalool, eugenol, geraniol, and (2E)-4,5-epoxy-2-decenal from the juice extract. The enantiomeric distribution of linalool, cis-rose oxide, beta-citronellol, and wine lactone were also determined using a multidimensional chiral GC/MS.