Aroma evaluation of setonojigiku (Chrysanthemum japonense var. debile) by hydrodistillation and solvent-assisted flavour evaporation.

INTRODUCTION

The Chrysanthemum genus consisting of about 200 species is mainly distributed over the Northern Hemisphere. Despite the pleasant odour of C. japonense var. debile (setonojigiku), no detailed analysis of the aroma-active compounds has been reported using sensory evaluation.

OBJECTIVES

Using a hydrodistillation (HD) and a solvent-assisted flavour evaporation (SAFE) method to obtain the volatile oil from the leaf parts.

METHODS

To clarify odorants contributing to the characteristic aroma-active compounds, the aroma-extract dilution analysis (AEDA) method was performed through gas chromatography olfactometry (GC/O) analysis. In addition, the odour activity value (OAV) was calculated in order to determine the relative contribution of each compound to the aroma-active compounds.

RESULTS

A total of 42 components by HD oil were identified by GC-MS, whereas 34 components were identified in SAFE oil. Thirteen compounds were identified by GC/O analysis in HD and SAFE oils respectively.

CONCLUSION

Each extraction method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and they are generally complementary to each other. On the basis of AEDA, OAV and sensory evaluations, [2.2.1] bicyclic monoterpenes (borneol, bornyl acetate and camphor) and β-caryophyllene are considered to be the main aroma-active compounds of both extraction methods.