Zizyphus mauritiana Lam. (Rhamnaceae) and the chemical composition of its floral fecal odor

When in blossom, jujube (Zizyphus mauritiana Lam., Rhamnaceae) emanates a strong fecal odor. The substances responsible for this scent were analysed by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) associated to standard co-injection and retention indexes, which showed benzaldehyde as major constituent. Minor benzenoids, aliphatic carboxylic acids, aldehydes, hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes were also observed. Olfactometric evaluation of the SPME using GC-sniffing port indicated skatole (3-methyl-indole) as responsible for the fecal odor and vanillin for the sweety odor.