Comparison of methodologies for the identification of aroma compounds in strawberry

Three strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa. Duch.) varieties commercially grown in Israel (Tamar, Yael and Malach) were studied for their volatile compositions. Two techniques were compared: headspace solid phase micro extraction (HS-SPME) and liquid-liquid extraction (organic solvent: tert-butyl methyl ether) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/ MS). The influences of techniques on the volatile compounds were tested by comparing the volatiles determined in the 3 varieties. Malach, the most aromatic variety, accumulates high levels of furanones and esters compared to the other varieties. Differences in the aroma profiles obtained by utiliszing different techniques were noted. HS-SPME was more suitable for the determination of very volatile and non-polar esters, while liquid extraction was more appropriate for the determination of the polar and less volatile furanones.