Pycnanthemum pycnanthemoides, commonly known as southern mountain mint, is a highly aromatic plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. This native species grows vigorously in wild populations throughout the southeastern portion of the United States and its pleasant mint-like odor suggests it may be a potential source of essential oils or natural ingredients for food, flavor, or cosmetic applications. However, the odorants that contribute to the mountain mint’s unique odor have not been previously determined. Therefore, the objective of this study was to comprehensively characterize the odor of a southern mountain mint through the application of flavor analysis techniques. Twenty-eight odorants were identified in P. pycnanthemoides by coupling solvent assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE) and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). Selected odorants with high flavor dilution factors were quantitated by stable isotope dilution assays (SIDAs) and odor activity values (OAVs) were calculated. The odorants with the highest odor activity values included b-ionone (floral, violet, OAV 100000), linalool (floral, citrus, OAV 15000), myrcene (terpeny, OAV 12000), piperitone (mint, OAV 4200), and piperitenone (mint, OAV 2500). This study offers insight into the odorants that contribute to the complex odor profile of southern mountain mint and provides a foundation for future studies of P. pycnanthemoides and other species of the Pycnanthemum genus.

Characterization of odorants from southern mountain mint, Pycnanthemum pycnanthemoides

ACS Spring 2022

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