Key Odorant Differences in Fragrant Brassica napus and Brassica juncea Oils Revealed by Gas Chromatography–Olfactometry, Odor Activity Values, and Aroma Recombination

Fragrant Brassica species seed oils (FBO) produced in China are mainly obtained from rapeseed (Brassica napus: B. napus) and mustard seeds (Brassica juncea: B. juncea). The characterization and differences of aroma profiles between those two species remain unclear. In this study, the volatile compounds in FBOs were systemically extracted by headspace solid-phase microextraction and solvent-assisted flavor evaporation combined with ultrasound and identified by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). Ninety-three odorants were identified as aroma-active compounds with flavor dilution (FD) factors ranging from 1 to 6561. Moreover, 63 key compounds exhibited their odor activity values (OAVs) to be greater than 1. The oils of the two species were successfully recombinated with their key odorants. B. juncea oils presented stronger pungent-like, pickled-like, and fishy like notes compared to B. napus oils. The key odor differences were primarily attributed to the concentration of 3-butenenitrile, 4-(methylsulfanyl)butanenitrile, 5-(methylsulfanyl)pentanenitrile, 3-isothiocyanato-1-propene, 3-methyl-3-butenenitrile, isothiocyanatocyclopropane, (methylsulfanyl)acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, and 3-(methyldisulfanyl)-1-propene. This work provides a guide for the selection of raw materials and odor markers in fragrant B. napus and B. juncea oils.