Chemical composition and olfactory characterization of essential oils of fruits and seeds of African pear (Dacryodes edulis (G.!Don) H. J.!Lam) from Cameroon

The composition of the essential oil of Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H. J. Lam (Burseraceae) fruits and seeds from Cameroon were investigated by gas chromatographic-spectroscopic (GC-FID and GC-MS) and olfactory methods to identify those volatiles responsible for the characteristic aroma of this commonly known African pear. Monoterpenes, such as alpha-pinene (fruits/seeds: 22.3/21.5%), beta-pinene (13.7/19.7%), limonene (7.2/27.5%) and a-phellandrene (10.8/12.1%) were found to be main compounds of these essential oils. A correlation of the identified constituents of the two essential oils of African pear from Cameroon with their single odour impressions is also given. Copyright (c) 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.