Aroma volatiles of Cynara scolymus and Helianthus tuberosus

Samples of the aroma volatiles of globe artichoke and Jerusalem artichoke were obtained by well established methods and were analysed by routine GC and GC/MS. Eight sesquiterpene hydrocarbons afforded the major group of components (over 42%) in globe artichoke samples, with β-selinene (ca 32%) as the main constituent. Previously reported caryophyllene could not be detected. α-Cedrene was found to have globe artichoke aroma characteristics on odour evaluation of separated components at an odour port at the exit of the GC column. Jerusalem artichoke samples contained one major component (β-bisabolene, ca 51%) and a range of saturated long-chain hydrocarbons (ca 22%). The sesquiterpene presumably contributes appreciably to the characteristic flavour of Jerusalem artichoke. Both types of artichoke gave a low concentration of total volatiles.