Comparison of volatiles identified in Aronia melanocarpa and Amelanchier alnifolia using solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The volatile constituents of two chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) and five saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) cultivars were evaluated by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) during three seasons (2011–2013). Altogether, 39 and 31 volatile compounds were identified in chokeberries and saskatoon berries, respectively. Similarities were found between chokeberry and saskatoon berry composition of volatiles, in both of them, alcohols and aldehydes were the most abundant, esters, ketones, acids and terpenoids created the minor part. From all the identified volatiles, fourteen compounds were recognized as being responsible for overall aroma of the berries under study (with odour activity values ≥ 1) with their typical fruity, sweet, grassy and/or floral aroma. Based on the results of principal component analysis, 24 compounds were selected and compared using analysis of variance to investigate differences among samples. Statistical analysis confirmed that there were significant differences among varieties and the year of production, but also some similarities were found. These differences/similarities were probably influenced by climatic conditions, habitat and/or degree of maturity/ripening.