GC-MS/Olfactometric characterisation and aroma extraction dilution analysis of aroma active compounds in Polygonum minus essential oil

Polygonum minus Huds. is an aromatic plant with potential anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and diuretic properties. Although the volatile compounds from the essential oil of P. minus have been extensively studied, knowledge of the aroma-active compounds is still incomplete. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate and to characterise the aroma-active compounds that contribute to the potent odour of P. minus. Essential oil was extracted from the leaves of kesum (P. minus) using hydrodistillation and was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify the volatile constituents. The important aroma-active compounds were further analysed by GC-MS/Olfactometry (GC-MS/O) and aroma extraction dilution analysis (AEDA). The GC-MS analysis using Kovats retention indices detected 39 volatile compounds in the essential oil. Aldehydes represented the major class of compounds, encompassing 75.43% of the total peak area, followed by sesquiterpenes (13.19%), alcohols (8.07%) and organic acids (0.83%). The dominant components of the kesum essential oil were dodecanal (54.25%) and decanal (18.27%) in the aldehyde group. The sesquiterpenes that were detected include β-farnesene (1.74%), α-caryophyllene (1.72%), β-caryophyllene oxide (1.51%) and βselinene (1.36%). In this study, GC-MS/O and AEDA analysis identified dodecanal, decanal, farnesol, 1-nonanal and α-bergamotene as the main contributors to the characteristic fragrance of this plant. This is the first olfactometric study on the essential oil of P. minus, and it is important for our understanding of the biosynthesis of volatile compounds in this medicinal herb. Moreover, the characterisation of aromatic compounds that contributed to the potent odour of P. minus can be further applied in the flavour and fragrance industries.