Fragrance Composition in Six Tree Peony Cultivars

Abstract

Tree peony is a traditional famous flower of China, and plays an important role in Chinese traditional culture. But the floral scent of tree peony in vivo is little known. In this study, in order to explore the floral composition of tree peony, floral volatiles of six cultivars, including Paeonia suffruticosa 'Zhaofen' (ZF), P. suffruticosa 'Luoyanghong' (LYH), P. ostii 'Fengdanbai' (FDB), P. <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> lemonei 'High noon' (HN), P. <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> lemonei 'Renown' (R), and P. rockii 'Gaoyuanshenghuo' (GYSH) were collected by dynamic headspace and then identified by Automated Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectometry. The results showed that floral fragrances of the six cultivars were qualitatively and quantitatively distinct. A total of 105 volatiles involving ten categories were detected. But not all volatile categories were emitted from these cultivars. The six peony cultivars emitted some shared compounds and peculiar compounds. The total released amounts of volatiles emitted from six cultivars were found significantly different, which was greatest for 'GYSH'. The most abundant volatile compounds detected from 'ZF', 'LYH', 'FDB', 'HN', 'R', and 'GYSH' were respectively <TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX>-pinene, 2,3-dihydroxy propanal, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, acetic acid 1-methylethyl ester, and 5-ethyl-2,2,3-trimethyl heptane. This result may contribute to exploring the biosynthesis and emission mechanism of floral scent in tree peony.