Volatile Profiles of European Blueberry:Few major players, but complex aroma patterns

As part of a project on cultivation and industrial exploitation of European Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) started in 2008, berries from different wild populations from South, Mid and North Norway were investigated. One aspect of fruit quality analyses was to identify and describe blueberry aroma profiles. Volatiles were extracted by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and analysed by gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) (Rohloff, 2004). More than 100 compounds could be identified based on MS database search and retention indices, also comprising aroma impact compounds not being described in blueberries earlier (Sydow & Anjou, 1969). Detected aliphatic and aromatic structures belonged to chemical groups such as alkanes, acids, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones and mono- and sesquiterpenes. Ten major compounds (mostly C4-, C6- and C9-structures) accounted for averagely 65–75 % relative amount of all detected peaks. However, HS-SPME analyses revealed complex volatile profiles including terpenes (>20 compounds, e.g. p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool) and aromatic structures (>10 compounds, e.g. benzaldehyde, ethyl benzoate, 2-phenylethyl acetate, benzyl benzoate), which contribute to the characteristic and flavourful blueberry aroma. Keywords: Vaccinium myrtillus L., headspace (HS), solid-phase microextraction (SPME), gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS), aroma, quality