Variation in the essential oils of citron leaves and peel infected by exocortis disease

SummaryA study was undertaken to identify the aroma profile and to investigate how the exocortis disease (CEV) affects the oil, in leaves and peel of citron (Citrus medica, L., ‘Diamante’), using gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectroscopy (MS). Significant differences were observed in the content of some oil components between healthy and diseased leaves and peel. The content of the monoterpene hydrocarbons limonene and δ,3-carene and the aldehyde C10-al was significantly higher in leaves infected by the virus. Other constituents such as the ester geranyl proprionate, the aldehyde C9-al and the sesquiterpene caryophyllenoxide were found in significantly lower concentrations in infected leaves than in healthy ones. Monoterpene hydrocarbons like α-pinene, β-pinene, (Z)β-ocimene, and (E)β-ocimene were in higher quantities in the infected peel. Concentrations of the majority of aldehydes, alcohols and esters were higher in the healthy peel.