Culinary sage, Salvia officinalis L., is a popular spice plant commonly used throughout the world.
In this study, 35 odorants were identified in dried sage via solvent-assisted
flavor evaporation (SAFE) and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA),
including 9 that were identified in sage for the first time. Fifteen
odorants were quantitated by stable isotope dilution analysis (SIDA),
and their odor activity values (OAVs) were determined. Odorants with
high OAVs included (2E,6Z)-nona-2,6-dienal, 1,8-cineole,
and β-myrcene. A formulated aroma simulation model closely matched
the aroma profile of an aqueous infusion of dried sage. Enantiomeric
proportions of selected odorants were determined by chiral gas chromatography.
Furthermore, 6 different sage cultivars were grown in the greenhouse,
dried under the same conditions, and analyzed. Sensory analysis determined
that all cultivars were dominated by an herbaceous sensory attribute
and had varying intensities of eucalyptus, mint, clove, pine, green,
earthy, floral, and citrus notes. Cultivars with varying intensities
of herbaceous, eucalyptus, pine, and green sensory notes correlated
with the OAVs of α-thujone/β-thujone, 1,8-cineole, α-pinene,
and (2E,6Z)-nona-2,6-dienal, respectively.
This study identified the odorants driving the sensory profiles of
different sage cultivars and serves as a foundation for future studies
on the aroma chemistry of culinary sage.