Volatile Composition Screening of Salix spp. Nectar Honey: Benzenecarboxylic Acids, Norisoprenoids, Terpenes, and Others

Salix spp. nectar honey volatiles of Croatian origin were analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE), followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC, GC/MS). Isolated volatiles were found in the honey headspace and extracts with almost exclusive distribution of several abundant compounds (e.g., phenylacetic acid, pinocembrin, 8-hydroxy-4,7-dimethylcoumarin, and 3-hydroxy-trans-beta-damascone in the extracts, or safranal and lilac alcohols in the headspace). Comparison with Croatian Salix spp. honeydew honey revealed similarities regarding distribution of important shikimate pathway derivatives (e.g., high percentage of phenylacetic acid) and several norisoprenoids (alpha-isophorone and 4-oxoisophorone). On the other hand, distinct features of this honey were occurrence of compounds such as pinocembrin, 8-hydroxy-4,7-dimethylcoumarin, phenylacetonitrile, norisoprenoids (major ones: 3-hydroxy-trans-beta-damascenone and trans-beta-damascone), more pronounced variability of linalool-derived compounds, as well as the abundance of 3-methylpropanoic acid, 3-methylbutanoic acid, 2-methylpentanoic acid, and 3-methylpentan-1-ol.