Characterization of the Aromatic Profile in Aqueous Essence and Fruit Juice of Yellow Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims F. Flavicarpa degner) by GC−MS and GC/O

Chemical characterization by gas chromatography-mass spectometry (GC-MS) of the aromatic profile of yellow passion fruit essence and the juice of the fruit yielded a total of 62 and 34 components, respectively. Four new components have been identified and quantified for the first time in this fruit: 3-methyl-2-butanone; ethyl lactate (quantified only in the fruit juice); diethyl malonate (quantified only in the essence); and 3-penten-2-ol (quantified in both samples). Analysis of these samples by gas chromatography/olfactometry (GC/O) yielded a total of 66 components which appear to contribute to the aroma of passion fruit juice and its aqueous essence. Of these, four could not be quantified by GC-MS: acetic acid, ethyl propionate, ethyl 3-oxobutyrate, and propyl hexanoate. New components were described for the first time as constituents of the aromatic profile in this fruit including acetal, 1,3-dimethyl benzene, and 2-methylbutyl hexanoate. Aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) allowed for the detection of the most potent odorants in the commercial essence (2-methylbutyl hexanoate and hexyl hexanoate) and in the fresh juice (1,3-dimethyl benzene and 2-methylbutyl hexanoate). 2-Methylbutyl hexanoate, considered as one of the most potent odorants in this fruit, has been described for the first time as an aromatic constituent of yellow passion fruit.