Sulfur-containing compounds in the aroma volatiles of melon fruit 'Miyabi'

Abstract

Sulfur-containing compounds in the aromatic volatiles of melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Miyabi) and their characteristics were analyzed by using a sniffing- GC equipped with a flame photometer detector (FPD). Nine sulfur-containing compounds were present in melon 'Miyabi'; of the four compounds identified, 3-(methylthio)propyl acetate had the highest peak area ratio (PAR) of 19.47, followed by ethyl (methylthio)acetate, ethyl 3-(methylthio)propionate, and 2-(methylthio)ethyl acetate. 3-Methylthio-1-propanol was the least concentrated (PAR of 0.27) among the compounds identified. 3-(Methylthio)propyl acetate possessed a sweet grassy odor, while ethyl (methylthio)acetate had a grassy cucumber-like odor according to the sniffing panel. Although 2-(methylthio)ethyl acetate existed at a high concentration, it was not perceived by the sniffing panel. Ethyl 3-(methylthio)propionate possessed a fruity grassy odor, and it was perceived weakly. 3-Methylthio-1-propanol and other unidentified sulfur-containing compounds were, likewise, barely detectable. Thus, it is clear that 3-(methylthio)propyl acetate and ethyl (methylthio)acetate are the important compounds in imparting the grassy aroma to 'Miyabi'.