Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis reveals the differences in volatile components of royal jelly from different honeybee stocks

The aim of this study is to reveal differences of volatile components of royal jelly (RJ) produced by different honeybee stocks. Volatile components of three RJ samples from high and low RJ production honeybee stocks were extracted by headspace-solid phase micro-extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis of the volatile components are suggestive of the fact that honeybee stock selected for increasing RJ yields (royal jelly bees) has shaped distinct volatile component profile compared with the unselected Italian bees. In total, 37 components were identified that could distinguish three RJ samples, including 5 aldehydes, 5 esters, 5 alkanes, 14 alcohols and phenols, 4 ketones and 4 other components. Our study provides the first characterization of volatile components in RJs and uncovered the differences among royal jelly secreted by different bee stocks. [Display omitted] •Royal jelly from three genetically different honeybee stocks were investigated.•GC-MS coupled to chemometric methods were applied to royal jelly.•37 differential metabolites were identified to distinguish different royal jelly samples.•Significant differences among different royal jelly samples were investigated.•Primary knowledge on volatile metabolites of different royal jelly samples was acquired.