This study investigated the volatile flavor composition of essential oils from Solidago virga-aurea var. asiatica Nakai with different harvesting area. The essential oils obtained by the hydrodistillation extraction method from the aerial parts of the plants were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Ninety-five (91.61%) volatile flavor compounds were identified in the essential oils from the S. virga-aurea var. asiatica Nakai harvested in Koheung, Jeolanamdo. The major compounds were hexadecanoic acid (29.22%), 7-hexyl eicosane (9.12%), spathulenol (7.701%), 3,8-dimethyl decane (6.48%), caryophyllene oxide (4.52%) and α-copaene (4.23%). Fifty-seven (97.43%) volatile flavor compounds were identified in the essential oils from the S. virga-aurea var. asiatica Nakai harvested in Seoguipo, Jejudo. The major compounds were 2-carene (40.95%), α-copaene (10.77%), α-muurolene (5.81%), and spathulenol (3.11%). The chemical composition of the essential oils was significantly different in quality and quantity with the different harvesting area. The quantitative variations of hexadecanoic acid, 7-hexyl eicosane, spathulenol, 3,8-dimethyl decane, caryophyllene oxide, 2-carene, and α-copaene according to different harvesting area can serve as a quality index of the S. virga-aurea var. asiatica Nakai essential oils in food industries.

This study investigated the chemical composition of Solidago virga-aurea var. asiatica Nakai essential oils collected using different extraction methods. The essential oils obtained by simultaneous steam distillation extraction (SDE) and hydrodistillation extraction (HDE) methods from the aerial parts of Solidago virga-aurea var. asiatica Nakai were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Ninety-nine volatile flavor compounds were identified in the essential oil produced from Solidago virga-aurea var. asiatica Nakai using the SDE method. These compounds were classified into eight categories in terms of chemical functionality: 26 hydrocarbons, 8 aldehydes, 36 alcohols, 7 ketones, 12 esters, 5 oxides and epixides, 4 acids, and a miscellaneous one. Spathulenol (15.66%) was the most abundant compound. Ninety-eight compounds including of 35 hydrocarbons, 6 aldehydes, 29 alcohols, 6 ketones, 10 esters, 4 oxides and epixides, 7 acids, and a miscellaneous one were identified in the essential oil from the plant using the HDE method. Hexadecanoic acid (24.74%) was the most abundant compound. The chemical composition of Solidago virga-aurea var. asiatica Nakai essential oils extracted by SDE and HDE methods are characterized by high content of sesquiterpene alcohols and acids, respectively. The extraction methods may be influenced in the chemical composition of natural plant essential oils.

A comparison of essential oils composition of Aster tataricus L. (gaemichwi), Ligularia fischeri (gomchwi), Solidago virga-aurea var. asiatica Nakai (miyeokchwi), and Aster scaber (chamchwi) was performed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for the identification of volatile flavor characteristics in chwi-namuls. The essential oils were extracted by the hydro distillation extraction method. One hundred volatile flavor components were identified from gaemichwi essential oil. α-Pinene (11.5%) was the most abundant compound, followed by myrcene (8.9%) and β pinene (7.5%). Ninety-one volatile flavor components were identified from the essential oil of gomchwi. Aromadendrene (14.8%) was the most abundant component, followed by β-caryophyllene (7.6%) and 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene) cyclohexene (7.3%). Ninety-five volatile flavor constituents were detected in the essential oil of miyeokchwi, moreover, spathulenol (15.7%) was the most abundant component. Ninety-six volatile flavor constituents were detected in the essential oil of chamchwi. Epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene (21.9%) was the most abundant component, followed by β-caryophyllene (9.5%) and δ terpinene (8.9%). The essential oil composition of gaemichwi was characterized by a higher contents of pinenes. The essential oil composition of gomchwi can be easily distinguished by the percentage of aromadendrene. Spathulenol and epi bicyclosesquiphellandrene were regarded as the characteristic odorants of miyeokchwi and chamchwi, respectively.