"Aqua-space", a new headspace method for isolation of natural floral aromas using humidified air as a carrier gas.

A new method called "Aqua-space" was developed for the isolation of the natural fragrances of plants. Living flowers were enclosed in a space under simulated natural conditions, and humidified air was pumped into the space as a fragrance carrier. In a comparison among three isolation methods, i.e., Aqua-space, headspace, and solvent extraction, the Aqua-space method proved to be the most effective in retaining natural fragrances with abundant oxygenated components key to floral fragrances.

Biotransformation of alpha-isomethylionone to 1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)propan-2-one.

The main biodegradation product of (+/-)-alpha-isomethylionone (2) with standard activated sludge was characterized as (+/-)-1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)propan-2-one (1) by its analysis and synthesis. Both enantiomers (1a and 1b) of 1 were synthesized by starting from (R)- and (S)-2,4,4-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol (3a and 3b), respectively.