Comparison of Volatile Concentrations in Hand-Squeezed Juices of Four Different Lemon Varieties

Abstract

Fresh juices of four Italian cultivars of lemons (Citrus limon Burm) have been analyzed by headspace solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The best results have been obtained with the 2 cm 50/30 microm divinylbenzene/carboxen on poly(dimethylsiloxane) fiber, using a homogenization time of 1 h at 40 degrees C and a sampling period of 30 min. A total of 35 volatile compounds have been identified by GC-MS, and their relative amounts have been calculated by adding internal standard to the samples. Differences in composition of lemon juices volatile components have been observed. Verdello Siracusano lemon juice has the highest amount of volatile compounds (50.28 mg/L), followed by Interdonato (8.39 mg/L), Primo Fiore Capo d'Orlando (5.75 mg/L), and Femminello Siracusano (2.62 mg/L) juices. Volatile compounds mainly consist of mono- and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated molecules (aldheydes, monoterpene alcohols, and monoterpene esters). Headspace solid phase microextraction coupled to a gas chromatograph equipped with a specific sulfur detector, a sulfur chemiluminescence detector, let us detect and quantify dimethyl sulfide compound at the microgram/liter level in lemon juices.

Free and Bound Volatile Compounds in Juice and Peel of Eureka Lemon

“…Compared to other lemon juice, more abundant volatile compounds were detected in this Eureka lemon (Allegrone et al 2006). The amount of these compounds in free forms was remarkably higher than those in the bound forms.…”

“…Volatile compounds in Meyer lemon (Moshonas et al, 1972), Italian lemon (Allegrone et al, 2006) and petitgrain Eureka lemon essential oil (Baaliouamer et al, 1985) have been reported, except Eureka lemon. Many studies showed the common volatile compounds in lemon.…”

“…d-Limonene plays a potential role in preventing breast cancer (Miller et al, 2011), and the antioxidant activity of lemon essential oils has been confirmed (Di et al, 2010). Lemon products are also important for food industry and health care (González-Molina et al, 2010).Volatile compounds in Meyer lemon (Moshonas et al, 1972), Italian lemon (Allegrone et al, 2006) and petitgrain Eureka lemon essential oil (Baaliouamer et al, 1985) have been reported, except Eureka lemon. Many studies showed the common volatile compounds in lemon.…”

Identification and Characterization of Volatile Components of the Japanese Sour Citrus FruitCitrus nagato-yuzukichiTanaka

“…Some among them, sour citrus fruits such as lemon and lime, are widely known. 1,2) On the other hand, Citrus junos Tanaka (Yuzu), Citrus sphaerocarpa Tanaka (Kabosu), and Citrus sudachi Hort. ex Shirai (Sudachi) are popular in Japan, and there is a custom of squeezing sour citrus juices on grilled fish and on foods served in the pot.…”

Volatile Composition and Enantioselective Analysis of Chiral Terpenoids of Nine Fruit and Vegetable Fibres Resulting from Juice Industry By-Products

“…Ketones, esters, and alcohols were also found in the samples but at low concentrations (in all cases below 1%). Of note, the composition of the volatile fraction of citrus fibre is qualitatively comparable to those of raw fruits, essential oils [20], and juices [21][22][23].…”