Taxonomic analysis of volatiles emitted by ornamental crabapple flowers

Abstract

To identify and classify volatile compounds in the fragrances of crabapple flowers from ornamental and original species in the peak April Tai’an, Shandong flowering season. Volatile components from flowers were identified using dynamic-headspace sampling, purge and trap and GC/MS. Eighty compounds were detected in the 17 ornamental crabapple cultivars, while sixty-eight compounds were found in the nine original species, including forty-four compounds in both the original species and cultivars. The main volatile components and common components of crabapple flower aroma include: 3-methyl-1-butanol, ocimene, benzyl alcohol, 3-methyl-4-oxo-pentanoic acid and heptane. Based on the relative volatile content the 26 taxa could be classified into seven different groups through UPGMA cluster analysis. The different volatile contents, such as myrcene and benzaldehyde, result in the extraordinary aroma of different crabapple varieties. M. ‘Dolgo’, M. ‘Eleyi’, M. ‘Hopa’, M. ‘Liset’, M. ‘Makamik’ and M. ‘Royalty’ are good breeding varieties of sweet flowering crabapples which could be used to breed additional ornamental cultivars with excellent fragrance and high value.