Rapid identification of volatile compounds in fresh seaweed

Volatile component profiles of fresh seaweed Laminaria spp and Undaria pinnatífida were analyzed using dynamic headspace for volatile profile evaluation, which allows the direct analysis of small quantities of sample without previous treatment and have been identified by GC–MS. ls were the most important class of volatile compounds identified in Wakame and Kombu (25 and 29% respectively); nine alcohols were identified. The hydrocarbons group constitute the second most important family of volatiles, in both samples entire similar % area total 13–14%, being the butane the most abundant hydrocarbon. Aldehydes and halogenated compounds are higher in Laminaria spp (10–9% total area), whereas Undaria pinnatifida presents 4–0.23% respectively.