Analysis of aromatic compounds in three muskmelon cultivars (Cucumis melon) by solid phase microextraction with GC-MS.

The aromatic components of ripe fruits of 3 muskmelon (Cucumis melon L.)cultivars (A69,Luhoutian 1 and A74× 75) were identitied by combining headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with GC-MS method. Results showed that 136 volatile aromatic compounds in the fruits were identified . The major volatile aromatic compounds in melon consisted of 63 esters, 22 alcohols, 9 aldehydes,12 ketones and 19 alkenes which reached to 91.9% of the total aromatic number. According to their peak areas, the total relative content amounted to 86.72% to 87.95%. The number of main volatile aroma components identitied from A69, Luhoutian1 and A74×75 melons were 97, 40 and 71 , respectively. The fragrance varieties and quantities of A69 were more copious than that of the other two melons and its fragrant type was correspond to its taste and sensory evaluation. There were significant diferences in aromatic components and relative contents among these three varieties, which could be used as an important index to evaluate different varieties of muskmelon and one of the important bases for the classification of their sweet-smelling category.