Headspace Analysis of Volatile Compounds in Leaves from the Juglandaceae (Walnut) Family

Headspace volatile analysis coupled with software extraction of overlapping GC-seperated components was employed for volatiles profiling in leaves of six Juglans and Carya species. Qualitative and quantitative differences were observed among species. Sesquiterpenes dominated the volatile blend of all species (J. nigra L. 70%, J. cineara L. 61%, J. regia L. 47%, C. cordiformis, (Wangh.) K. Koch, 50%, C. laciniosa (Michx.) Loud. 41%, and C. illinoinensis (Wangh.) K. Koch 24%) with germacrene D occurring in the largest amount. Higher levels of monoterpenes were found in the headspace of J. cineara, J. regia and C. laciniosa leaves (35%, 24% and 18%, respectively). Among the benzenoids, methyl salicylate was found as the major leaf headspace component (J. regia 17 %, C. cordiformis 15%, C. laciniosa and C. illinoinensis 10%,).