Sulphur compounds and some uncommon esters in durian (Durio zibethinus murr.)

Forty-three sulphur-containing constituents were found in a pentane extract of the durian fruit (Durio zibethinus Murr., Bombacaceae). Amongst them, 22 are new compounds. They belong to dialkyl di- and trisulphides, 3-(alkylthio)- and 3-(alkyldithio)-butan-1-ols, 1,1-bis(alkylthio)alkanes and 1-(alkylthio)-1-(alkyldithio)alkanes, trithiolanes, tetrathiolanes and S-alkyl thioesters. In addition, the ethyl (Z,Z)-, (E,Z)- and (E,E)-deca-2,4-dienoates, ethyl (3Z,6Z)-decadienoate and the ethyl (E,Z,Z)- and (E,E,Z)-decatrienoates contribute significantly to the fruity aspect of the unusual flavour. Some olfactive evaluations of the synthesised constituents are described.