Characterization of Tricyclic Sesquiterpenes in Hop (Humulus lupulus, var. Hersbrucker Spät)

Investigations of hop variety Hersbrucker Spät by means of distillation-extraction, liquid-solid chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to the characterization of a new class of hop constituents: tricyclic sesquiterpenes. More than 15 components (sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, epoxides, and alcohols) could be identified for the first time in hop, and the biogenetical relations of the new tricyclic sesquiterpenes to germacrenes, selinenes, and selinadienes are demonstrated. The new components are characteristic constituents of the variety Hersbrucker Spät, some of them were detected in the varieties Húller Bitterer, Perle, and Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, but they are not contained in Saazer hop, Northern Brewer, or Brewers Gold. So this study may be a further step to the differentiation of hop varieties.