Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE), followed by GC-MS/FID, were applied for monitoring the nectar (NE)/honey-sac (HoS)/honey (HO) pathways of the headspace, volatiles, and semi-volatiles. The major NE (4 varieties of Citrus unshiu) headspace compounds were linalool, α-terpineol, 1H-indole, methyl anthranilate, and phenylacetonitrile. Corresponding extracts contained, among others, 1H-indole, methyl anthranilate, 1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one and caffeine. The major HoS headspace compounds were linalool, α-terpineol, 1,8-cineole, 1H-indole, methyl anthranilate, and cis-jasmone. Characteristic compounds from HoS extract were caffeine, 1H-indole, 1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one, methyl anthranilate, and phenylacetonitrile. However, HO headspace composition was significantly different in comparison to NE and HoS with respect to phenylacetaldehyde and linalool derivatives abundance that appeared as the consequence of the hive conditions and the bee enzyme activity. C. unshiu honey traceability is determined by chemical markers: phenylacetaldehyde, phenylacetonitrile, linalool and its derivatives, as well as 1H-indole, 1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one, and caffeine.

The samples of Satureja subspicata Vis. honey were confirmed to be unifloral by melissopalynological analysis with the characteristic pollen share from 36% to 71%. Bioprospecting of the samples was performed by HPLC-DAD, GC-FID/MS, and UV/VIS. Prephenate derivatives were shown to be dominant by the HPLC-DAD analysis, particularly phenylalanine (167.8 mg/kg) and methyl syringate (MSYR, 114.1 mg/kg), followed by tyrosine and benzoic acid. Higher amounts of MSYR (3–4 times) can be pointed out for distinguishing S. subspicata Vis. honey from other Satureja spp. honey types. GC-FID/MS analysis of ultrasonic solvent extracts of the samples revealed MSYR (46.68%, solvent pentane/Et₂O 1:2 (v/v); 52.98%, solvent CH₂Cl₂) and minor abundance of other volatile prephenate derivatives, as well as higher aliphatic compounds characteristic of the comb environment. Two combined extracts (according to the solvents) of all samples were evaluated for their antioxidant properties by FRAP and DPPH assay; the combined extracts demonstrated higher activity (at lower concentrations) in comparison with the average honey sample. UV/VIS analysis of the samples was applied for determination of CIE Lab colour coordinates, total phenolics (425.38 mg GAE/kg), and antioxidant properties (4.26 mmol Fe²⁺/kg (FRAP assay) and 0.8 mmol TEAC/kg (DDPH assay)).

Volatile aroma compounds are one of the main parameters in consumer choice and acceptance of cheese. The traditional way of making cheese, still preserved in Croatia, is the anaerobic ripening of curds in a lamb or goat sack. Cheeses produced in such a way have a specific aroma. The objective of this study was to determine the volatile compounds of Croatian cheese in a lamb skin sack prepared from a mixture of goat's and cow's milk and relate them with the aroma of this traditional cheese. The cheese extracts were obtained by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE) and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). HS-SPME was performed at different temperatures (40, 50 and 60°C) using 2 fibres, divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) fibre and carboxen/ polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS) fibre. Increasing the extraction temperature resulted in higher sorption of fatty acids on both fibres. A total of 28 volatile compounds were identified in the cheese samples including 13 acids, 10 esters, 2 alcohols, 2 hydrocarbons and 1 ketone. Results revealed that fatty acids were the predominant group of volatile compounds in all samples. In samples obtained by HS-SPME, the most abundant were hexanoic, octanoic, butanoic, acetic and decanoic acid while (Z)-octadec-9-enoic, hexadecanoic, decanoic and tetradecanoic acid were the most abundant in the sample obtained by USE.

Three different isolates from unexplored wild-growing Brassicaceae plant Capsella rubella were investigated in order to provide more complete insight of the composition and content of volatile constituents. The analysis of volatile...

Cheeses ripened in animal skin sacks belong to traditional cheeses that are strongly connected to the culture and history of the country from which they originate. Their main specificity is anaerobic ripening in an animal skin sack. The aim of this study was to determine the volatile compounds of Croatian cheeses in a sack of lamb skin produced from either raw cow’s or goat’s milk and relate them to the aroma of these traditional cheeses. Volatile compounds were extracted by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE) and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 32 volatiles were identified in the cheese samples, including 12 carboxylic acids, 8 esters, 6 alcohols, 3 ketones, 2 hydrocarbons and 1 aldehyde. In the samples obtained by HS-SPME, the fatty acids and alcohols were the most abundant, while in the samples obtained by USE, the fatty acids were the most abundant.