Volatile composition of Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC leaves using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry.

Volatile and semi-volatile components of internal and external leaves of Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC, grown under different fertilization regimens, were determined by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry (GC/ITMS). Forty-one volatiles and non-volatile components were formally identified and thirty others were tentatively identified. Qualitative and quantitative differences were noticed between internal and external leaves. In general, internal leaves exhibited more aldehydes and sulfur volatile compounds than external ones, and less ketone, terpenes and norisoprenoid compounds. The fertilization regimens influenced considerably the volatile profile. Fertilizations with higher levels of sulfur produced Brassica leaves with more sulfur volatiles. In opposition, N and S fertilization led to leaves with lower levels of norisoprenoids and terpenes. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.