Identification of Aroma-Active Compounds in Jiashi Muskmelon Juice by GC-O-MS and OAV Calculation

To identify aromatic compounds in Jiashi melon juice, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O) analysis was used. Odor activity values (OAVs) were also calculated on the basis of the qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile compounds. Results showed that 42 volatiles were identified, among which 4 compounds, namely, diethyl carbonate, isophorone, 2-butoxyethyl acetate, and menthol, were identified or tentatively identified for the first time as volatiles in melon fruit. Twelve compounds, namely, (2E,6Z)-nona-2,6-dienal, (3Z,6Z)-nona-3,6-dien-1-ol, ethyl butanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylpropanoate, (Z)-non-6-enal, (E)-2-nonenal, heptanal, methyl 2-methylbutyrate, nonanal, hexanal, and 2-methylpropyl acetate, were identified as the potent odorants of Jiashi melon juice by both OAV and detection frequency analysis (DFA). In addition, seven odorants were detected by all of the panelists and showed higher OAVs, indicating that DFA and OAV resulted in relatively similar "Jiashi" melon aroma patterns.