Chemical composition of the inflorescence odor of Malaxis rzedowskiana (Orchidaceae)

Abstract

MALAXIS RZEDOWSKIANA R.GONZÁLEZ (MALAXIDEAE, ORCHIDACEAE) FROM MEXICO PRODUCES A PLEASANT FL ORAL ODOR REMINISCENT OF VIOLETS IN CONTRAST TO THE UNPLEASANT ODORS NOTED FOR SEVERAL OTHER MEMBERS OF MALAXIDEAE. ANALYSIS OF THE FL ORAL ODOR OF M. RZEDOWSKIANA BY HEADSPACE TRAPPING AND THERMAL DESORPTION-GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF KAURENE (76%), (E)-Ÿ-IONONE (18%) AND (E)-A-IONONE (4%) AS THE MAIN COMPONENTS. THIS IS THE FIRST REPORT OF A FL ORAL ODOR CONTAINING A HIGH PROPORTION OF KAURENE.