Identification of volatiles in headspace emitted from Mahonia japonica flowers

Journal of Essential Oil Research: JEOR, Jul/Aug 2003 by MacTavish, Hazel S, Picone, Joanne M, Clery, Robin A

A comparison between the solvent and thermal desorbed samples showed them to be very similar. The first solvent wash from the Porapak Q trap contained 95% of the recovered volatiles, with a slightly higher proportion of non-polar compounds. The second solvent wash contained the remaining volatiles, with proportionately more of the polar compounds. This confirmed that both methods were suitable, provided sufficient care was taken.

This first detailed study of the floral scent of M. japonica has revealed the chemicals responsible for its pleasant odor.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the analytical group at Quest International for the GC/MS analyses and for the preparation of a synthetic Mahonia mix for calibration of sampling equipment.

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Hazel S. MacTavish* and Joanne M. Picone

T.H. Huxley School, Imperial College, University of London, Wye, Ashford Kent TN25 5AH, UK

Robin A. Clery

Quest International, Ashford Kent TN24 0LT, UK.

*Address for correspondence