Static-headspace (S-HS), headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE) have been applied to the analysis of different grades of benzoin gums Siam and Sumatra. This study led to the identification of 58 compounds by GC-RI and GC-MS: 42 of them were characterized in Siam benzoin gum (grades 3 and 5) and 40 of them in Sumatra (grades B and D). SPME using divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane fiber and HSSE are complementary in these conditions and seem to be the most suitable techniques to identify volatile compounds of benzoin gums. S-HS is less sensitive but represents a good method for the quality control of these gums. For this reason it has been applied directly coupled to mass spectrometry for a rapid differentiation between several benzoin gum qualities.
Salviatrienes A and B, two new diterpenes belonging to the amphilectane/elisabethane family, have been isolated from an extract of clary sage (Salvia sclarea). These molecules are the first representatives of this family to be described from the plant kingdom. This study has led to consideration of the possible enzymatic machinery and biosynthesis pathways within S. sclarea.
The mixture of bark and gum obtained after size-grading of Siam benzoin gum was studied to establish its potential application as a valuable new grade of the balsamic resin. An analysis of its volatile constituents by means of static headspace and SPME led to the identification of 26 and 50 compounds, respectively. Significant differences were observed in both the headspace composition and olfactory properties of the byproduct as compared to those of Siam benzoin gum. This prompted the further analysis of its volatile extract and its resinoid by GC techniques, resulting in the identification of 60 (99.5%) and 16 (89.1%) components, respectively. To examine the influence of bark pieces, different extracts obtained from the raw material and from a sorted sample were analyzed by GC and HPLC techniques. The chemical compositions and the yields determined for the two resinoids lead to the conclusion that this harvesting byproduct is a new grade of Siam benzoin gum, providing interesting olfactory notes that differ from those of other grades.
The quality control of natural raw materials is a challenging issue for the food, cosmetic, perfume and tobacco industries. The applicability of an electronic nose for the discrimination of origin, qualities and harvesting year of a natural raw material (benzoin gum) currently used by all those industries was tested. An electronic nose including 18 metal oxide sensors was used to analyse and discriminate 56 benzoin gum samples according to their origin (Siam and Sumatra), quality grade, variety (mixture of gums traded as benzoin gums) and year of harvesting. Thanks to its sensitivity, the electronic nose based on metal oxide sensors demonstrated a high ability to assess both the quality and the organoleptic features of the benzoin gum samples. Fast analysis and ease of use make this instrument a good quality control tool. A comparison with an electronic nose based on fingerprint mass spectrometry was also studied. Copyright
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