Volatile Composition of Oyster Leaf (Mertensia maritima (L.) Gray)

Oyster leaf (Mertensia maritima), also called vegetarian oyster, has a surprising oyster-like aroma. Its volatile composition was investigated here for the first time. In total, 109 compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and quantified by GC-FID. The use of GC–olfactometry on both polar and nonpolar columns allowed the detection of the molecules having an oyster-like, marine odor. Four compounds were identified and confirmed by synthesis: (<i>Z</i>)-3-nonenal, (<i>Z</i>)-1,5-octadien-3-ol, (<i>Z</i>,<i>Z</i>)-3,6-nonadienal, and (<i>Z</i>)-1,5-octadien-3-one. After evaluation of freshly prepared reference samples, these compounds were confirmed to be reminiscent of the oyster-like marine notes perceived in the tasting of cut leaves