title: Volatile composition of oyster leaf (Mertensia maritima (L.) Gray).
abstract: Oyster leaf (Mertensia maritima), also called vegetarian oyster, has a surprising oyster-like aroma. Its volatile composition was investigated here for the first time. In total, 109 compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and quantified by GC-FID. The use of GC-olfactometry on both polar and nonpolar columns allowed the detection of the molecules having an oyster-like, marine odor. Four compounds were identified and confirmed by synthesis: (Z)-3-nonenal, (Z)-1,5-octadien-3-ol, (Z,Z)-3,6-nonadienal, and (Z)-1,5-octadien-3-one. After evaluation of freshly prepared reference samples, these compounds were confirmed to be reminiscent of the oyster-like marine notes perceived in the tasting of cut leaves.
authors.affiliation: Corporate R&D Division, Firmenich SA, P.O. Box 239, CH-1211 Geneva 8, Switzerland. estelle.delort@firmenich.com
authors.forename: Estelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Delort
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jaquier
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chapuis
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Starkenmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D028082:Boraginaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis; D010125:Ostreidae; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D012903:Smell; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds