title: Identification of metallic-smelling 1-octen-3-one and 1-nonen-3-one from solutions of ferrous sulfate.
abstract: Taste threshold tests of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) solutions have been confounded by the presence of putative odorants. To detect the presence of odorants released from these solutions solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was used to collect volatiles in the headspace above FeSO4 solutions. Gas chromatography-olfactometry of samples collected over three time periods (1, 5, and 16 h) and at two temperatures (22 and 37 degrees C) revealed the presence of several metallic-smelling odorants in the headspace. Using authentic standards, two of the odorants were conclusively identified as 1-octen-3-one and 1-nonen-3-one. Trace levels of other odorants were also detected, but dilution experiments indicated that 1-nonen-3-one was at least 10 times more potent than anything else released from the solutions. 1-Octen-3-one and 1-nonen-3-one are excellent candidates for the metallic odor responses often observed in threshold testing of solutions of FeSO4.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA.
authors.forename: Meryl B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Lubran
authors.forename: Harry T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Lawless
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lavin
authors.forename: Terry E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Acree
mesh_terms: D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007659:Ketones / Q000032:analysis*; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D012903:Smell; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D007659:Ketones; D012996:Solutions; C020748:ferrous sulfate; C113805:1-octen-3-one