IDENTIFICATION OF NEW SULFUR-CONTAINING VOLATILES IN YELLOW PASSION FRUITS (PASSIFLORA-EDULIS F FLAVICARPA)

Capillary gas chromatographic analysis of aroma extracts obtained by simultaneous distillation-extraction from yellow passion fruits (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) using a flame photometric detector revealed the presence of previously unreported sulfur-containing volatiles. 3-Mercaptohexanol and the acetates, butanoates, and hexanoates of 3-mercaptohexanol and 3-(methylthio)hexanol, respectively, were identified by comparison of chromatographic and mass spectral data with those of synthesized reference compounds. Approximate amounts of these trace constituents in freshly harvested fruits and in commercial passion fruit products were determined. The newly identified compounds, especially the acetates, exhibit powerful sensory properties.