Identification of the volatile component(s) causing the characteristic foxy odor in various cultivars of Fritillaria imperialis L. (Liliaceae).
To identify the component(s) causing the foxy odor, characteristic for some Fritillaria imperialis cultivars, the headspace of flower bulbs was analyzed using gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Six Fritillaria species and cultivars were selected as follows: F. imperialis cv. Premier (very strong foxy odor), F. imperialis cv. Lutea (strong foxy odor), F. imperialis ssp. Inodora (no odor), Fritillaria eduardii (weak mousy odor), Fritillaria raddeana (no odor), and an F1 of F. imperialis Lutea x Inodora (weak foxy odor). Volatiles from these flower bulbs were accumulated on Tenax and injected into the GC by thermodesorption. The majority of the volatiles consisted of low molecular weight aliphatic compounds. GC-O revealed that the foxy odor was caused by a single component, identified as 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol on the basis of smell in GC-O analyses (two GC columns), mass spectra, and retention times. Chemical identification was substantiated by GC-O and GC-MS of an authentic standard of 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol, prepared by organic synthesis.
Helsper
Johannes Petrus Franciscus Gerardus
JP
Plant Research International (PRI-DLO), P.O. Box 16, and Agrotechnology and Food Innovations (A&F-DLO), P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands. hans.helsper@wur.nl
Bücking
Mark
M
Muresan
Sorel
S
Blaas
Jan
J
Wietsma
Willem Anne
WA
D002073:Butanes / Q000032:analysis; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D031410:Fritillaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D012903:Smell; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D014835:Volatilization
D002073:Butanes; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; C512562:3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol