Floral scents produced by Lilium and Cardiocrinum species native to China

Publication date: February 2017 Source:Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, Volume 70 Author(s): Ying Kong, Jinrong Bai, Lixin Lang, Fang Bao, Xiaoying Dou, Huan Wang, Hongzhong Shang Floral scents of thirteen Lilium and one Cardiocrinum species native to China were collected by headspace adsorption during day and night periods and analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. There was a positive correlation between volatile emissions and scent intensities. The scented and light-scented Lilium species emitted greater amounts of volatiles at night, and their predominant volatiles were monoterpenoids and benzenoids or monoterpenoids alone. The scent profiles provided useful taxonomic information in section Leucolirion. The major scent compounds of L. regale, L. sulphureum and L. sargentiae were 1,8-cineole (rarely linalool) and methyl benzoate. The closely related Cardiocrinum cathayanum was differentiated from scented Lilium species based on its high emission of (E,E)-α-farnesene and methyl salicylate. L. bakerianum var. delavayi and L. primulinum var. ochraceum emitted the key compound linalool only at night as well as trace quantities of methyl benzoate. Two chemotypes of floral scent were found in L. sargentiae and L. bakerianum var. delavayi, and their differences in volatile compositions were related to the monoterpenoids and benzenoids emissions, respectively. This work provides a basis for advanced studies on the reproductive biology of Lilium species...
Source: Biochemical Systematics and Ecology - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research