Characterization of volatile components extracted fromVangueria infausta(African medlar) by using GC–MS

Volatile compounds isolated from the African medlar (Vangueria infausta L.) were identified by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The volatile components identified in the extract were: hexanoic acid (5600 μg/g, dry matter, DM), octanoic acid (240 μg/g, DM), methyl hexanoate (15 μg/g, DM), ethyl hexanoate (44 μg/g, DM), methyl octanoate (12 μg/g, DM) and ethyl octanoate (13 μg/g, DM). The principal aroma from the V. infausta fruit originates from ethyl hexanoate and ethyl octanoate with a minor contribution from methyl hexanoate and methyl octanoate.