Characterization of aroma-active compounds of Abies nephrolepis (Khingan fir) needles using aroma extract dilution analysis

Volatile components in the needles of Abies nephrolepis (Khingan fir), a conifer native to Korea, were extracted by simultaneous distillation-extraction. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using two types of capillary column with different polarities (DB-5MS and DB-WAX) revealed that α-pinene (23.2%) is the most abundant compound, followed by limonene (12.7%), bornyl acetate (9.9%) and β-caryophyllene (10.8%). Aroma-active compounds of A. nephrolepis were determined using gas chromatography-olfactometry by aroma extract dilution analysis. α-Pinene showed the highest flavour dilution factors, ranging from 3⁸ to 3⁹ with characteristic pine aroma. (Z)-3-Hexenal and γ-terpinene were also identified as important aroma-active compounds.