Dimethyl sulphide: The oyster-like odourant of Mertensia maritima

Abstract

The oyster plant (Britain) or oyster leaf (North America), Mertensia maritima (L.) Gray has a strong oyster-like odour. Headspace volatiles from fresh crushed leaves of this plant were analysed using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography– mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Dimethyl sulphide was detected emanating from the crushed leaves, a compound that is noted for being a major part of the odour profile of raw oysters.