Oyster leaf (
Mertensia maritima), also called
vegetarian oyster, has a surprising oyster-like aroma. Its volatile composition was investigated here for the first time. In total, 109 compounds were identified by gas chromatography鈥搈ass spectrometry (GC-MS) and quantified by GC-FID. The use of GC鈥搊lfactometry on both polar and nonpolar columns allowed the detection of the molecules having an oyster-like, marine odor. Four compounds were identified and confirmed by synthesis: (
Z)-3-nonenal, (
Z)-1,5-octadien-3-ol, (
Z,
Z)-3,6-nonadienal, and (
Z)-1,5-octadien-3-one. After evaluation of freshly prepared reference samples, these compounds were confirmed to be reminiscent of the oyster-like marine notes perceived in the tasting of cut leaves.
Keywords:
oyster leaf; Mertensia maritima; aroma compounds; GC-MS; oyster; marine