Characterization of Citrus unshiu (C. unshiu Marcov. forma Miyagawa-wase) blossom aroma by solid-phase microextraction in conjunction with an electronic nose.

The volatile composition of the headspace from Citrus unshiu Marcov. forma Miyagawa-wase blossom was investigated. The volatile constituents were absorbed by a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber and directly transferred to a GC-MS. Volatile compositional changes of C. unshiu blossom prepared via different drying methods (shade, microwave, and freeze-drying methods) were also determined. A total of 96 volatile constituents were confirmed in the headspace from these samples. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were prominent in the headspace volatiles of C. unshiu blossom: fresh, 84.1%; shade-dried, 60.0%; microwave-dried, 88.4%; and freeze-dried, 29.9%. p-Cymene (23.3%) was the most abundant component in the headspace of fresh C. unshiu blossom; gamma-terpinene was the most abundant in shade- and microwave-dried samples (26.8 and 31.2%, respectively) and beta-caryophyllene (10.5%) in freeze-dried sample. By using an electronic nose consisting of six metal oxide sensors, principal component analysis of the volatile compounds showed a clear aroma discrimination of the fresh and all dried blossom samples.