Analysis of odour‐active compounds of black mangrove (Avicennia germinans L.) honey by solid‐phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–olfactometry

Abstract

SummaryThe volatile compounds of Cuban black mangrove (Avicennia germinans L.) honey were analysed by solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–olfactometry. A total of 66 compounds were positively identified in this product for the first time. Application of the aroma extract dilution analysis in a novel approach, which consisted of carrying out successively dilutions of the honey sample with a synthetic honey before the SPME, revealed 17 odour‐active areas in the flavour dilution factor range of 32–1024. On the basis of the quantitative data and odour thresholds, odour activity values (OAV; ratio of concentration to odour threshold) were calculated. Sixteen compounds showed OAVs >1, among which dimethyl sulphide, 3‐methyl butanal, 2‐methylbutanal, heptanal, octanal, phenylacetaldehyde, (Z)‐linalool oxide, (E)‐linalool oxide, nonanal, hotrienol, isophorone, lilac aldehyde A, 1‐nonanol, decanal, 4‐vinyl‐2‐methoxyphenol and (E)‐β‐damascenone showed the highest values and should be considered as the most odour‐active compounds, particularly (E)‐β‐damascenone, nonanal and decanal.