Sulfur-Containing Compounds in the Aroma Volatiles of Melon Fruit 'Miyabi'.

Sulfur-containing compounds in the aromatic volatiles of melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Miyabi) and their characteristics were analyzed by using a sniffing-GC equipped with a flame photometer detector (FPD). Nine sulfur-containing compounds were present in melon 'Miyabi'; of the four compounds identified, 3-(methylthio) propyl acetate had the highest peak area ratio (PAR) of 19.47, followed by ethyl (methylthio) acetate, ethyl 3-(methylthio) propionate, and 2-(methylthio) ethyl acetate. 3-Methylthio-1-propanol was the least concentrated (PAR of 0.27) among the compounds identified. 3-(Methylthio) propyl acetate possessed a sweet grassy odor, while ethyl (methylthio) acetate had a grassy cucumber-like odor according to the sniffing panel. Although 2-(methylthio) ethyl acetate existed at a high concentration, it was not perceived by the sniffing panel. Ethyl 3-(methylthio) propionate possessed a fruity grassy odor, and it was perceived weakly. 3-Methylthio-1-propanol and other unidentified sulfur-containing compounds were, likewise, barely detectable. Thus, it is clear that 3-(methylthio) propyl acetate and ethyl (methylthio) acetate are the important compounds in imparting the grassy aroma to 'Miyabi'.