SPME–GC–MS detection of volatile compounds in apricot varieties

Aroma compounds of the eight Malatya apricot cultivars, six cultivars grown in the same breeding conditions from different locations and one hybrid cultivar were determined using SPME–GC–MS technique. In general, total concentration (sum of identified and unidentified peaks) of aroma compounds in Malatya apricot cultivars were lower than those others. Total concentration of aroma compounds were found to be in the range of 514 and 6232 μg/kg fresh weight. The main volatiles of apricot cultivars were aldehydes, alcohols, acetates, esters, terpenes and acids. Among these compounds; ethanol, hexanal, hexyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (E)-2-hexenyl acetate, 1-hexanol, (Z)-3-hexenol and (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, were present in all cultivars studied at certain levels.