Analysis of the aroma compounds of the fruit extracts of Spondias cytherea ("ambarella") from Cameroon

The aroma compounds of extracts of ripe and unripe fruits of Spondias cytherea Sonnerat ("ambarella" or "cajarana") were analysed by GC/FID, GC/MS and olfactometry. As main compounds, 1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, terpinolene, limonene, alpha-terpineol, butyl acetate, gamma-terpinene and terpinen-4-ol, among more than 50 constituents, were identified. The characteristic odour impressions of these extracts can be correlated to identified minor alcohols and esters, monoterpenes, hexane derivatives and fatty acids.