Headspace volatiles from frozen berries of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) varieties

The volatile compounds of frozen berries of seven sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) varieties of two growing seasons were isolated with solid phase microextraction (SPME), and analyzed with gas chromatography mass spectrometry. A total of 45 volatiles were identified from the headspace. The most numerous compounds found were esters of short chain normal or branched alcohols and acids. Ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, ethyl hexanoate, 3-methylbutyl 3-methylbutanoate, ethyl octanoate and 3-methylbutyl hexanoate were the most abundant compounds identified, and they contribute over 70% of the total peak area found in samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed differences between the years studied as well as between varieties. Raisa of ssp. rhamnoides origin had the highest variance in the volatile profile compared to the varieties of ssp. mongolica origin.