Gas chromatography for the characterization of the mushroom-like flavor inMelittis melissophyllumL. (Lamiaceae)

1-Octen-3-ol is an eight-carbon atom alcohol playing the major role in conferring the typical and unmistakable aroma to edible mushrooms. The presence of 1-octen-3-ol in plants was highlighted in the 1940s in various kinds of mint and lavender essential oils. Since then, many Lamiaceae were found to contain this molecule, but, to our knowledge, the plant essential oil that contains the highest percentage of this molecule is that of Melittis melissophyllum. In the present review, we reported all studies based on gas chromatography performed on this plant in order to characterize its mushroom-like flavor. This plant revealed to be a source providing economically interesting natural flavor to be exploited in the near future.