Volatile flavor components of ripe and overripe ki-mikans (Citrus flaviculpus Hort. ex Tanaka) in comparison with Hyuganatsu (Citrus tamurana Hort. ex Tanaka)

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2001 Jan;65(1):48-55. doi: 10.1271/bbb.65.48.

Abstract

The volatile flavor components of ripe and overripe ki-mikan (Citrus flaviculpus Hort. ex Tanaka) peel oil samples, which had been isolated by cold-pressing, were investigated by capillary GC and GC-MS, and compared with the Hyuganatsu (Citrus tamurana Hort. ex Tanaka) flavor. Limonene (ripe fruit, 82.44%; overripe fruit, 73.10%) was the most abundant compound in the ki-mikan oil, this being followed by gamma-terpinene (8.83% and 13.74%), trans-beta-farnesene (1.76% and 3.12%) and myrcene (1.54% and 1.13%). The composition of overripe ki-mikan oil was characterized by higher amounts of aliphatic and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, monoterpene and sesquiterpene alcohols, ketones and esters than that of ripe ki-mikan oil. Monoterpene hydrocarbons, especially limonene (84.78%), were predominant in Hyuganatsu oil. The CPO composition of ki-mikan was qualitatively similar to that of Hyuganatsu, but differed quantitatively. The content of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons was higher in the ki-mikan oil samples than in Hyuganatsu oil, while ketones showed the opposite predominance. These differences were more evident in the trans-beta-farnesene and l-carvone contents. The ratio of both these compounds could be used to distinguish ki-mikan oil from Hyuganatsu oil.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Citrus / chemistry*
  • Cyclohexenes
  • Food Preferences
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Humans
  • Limonene
  • Oils, Volatile / analysis*
  • Plant Oils / analysis*
  • Terpenes / analysis*
  • Terpenes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cyclohexenes
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Oils
  • Terpenes
  • Limonene