Melittis melissophyllum L. subsp melissophyllum (Lamiaceae) from central Italy: A new source of a mushroom-like flavour

1-Octen-3-ol is the most important C8 mushroom aromatic compound produced by many species of edible fungi and is also an aroma component in several food and beverages products. Under this view, the essential oil of flowering aerial parts of Melittis melissophyllum subsp. melissophyllum (Lamiaceae) growing in central Italy, obtained by hydrodistillation was characterised by GC-FID and GC-MS. This oil contained extremely high amount of the mushroom-like aroma component 1-octen-3-ol (43.6-54.2%), and could be considered as a new natural product for the use as flavouring agent in the food industry. Furthermore, headspace analysis suggested that this aromatic compound is only present in low concentration in the plant part, and is primarily formed in higher amount during hydrodistillation of this material. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.