Volatile compounds from the fruiting bodies of three Hygrophorus mushroom species from Northern Greece

The volatile composition of the wild edible mushroom species Hygrophorus chrysodon, Hygrophorus eburneus and Hygrophorus russocoriaceus was analysed by headspace-solid phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Forty-five volatile compounds were detected, including alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons, esters and terpenes. The most abundant compounds in the three species were 3-methyl butanal, hexanal, p-cymene, 3-octanone, 1-octen-3-one, 3-octanol, 1-octen-3-ol and benzoic acid methyl ester. The concentration of eight-carbon (C-8) compounds relative to the total volatiles varied widely ranging from 24.14% to 61.41% among the three species. Finally, the presence of sesquiterpenes only in Hygrophorus russocoriaceus, confirms the characteristic distinctive cedar odour of this species.