Compartive study of volatile components and fatty acids of plants and in vitro cultures of parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill) Nym ex hill)

Volatile compounds from plants, callus tissue cultures, and cell suspension s of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) were captured during the growth cycle u sing a dynamic headspace extraction and were identified by gas chromatograp hy-mass spectrometry. Parsley plants were found to produce mainly monoterpe nes, and the compound of major abundance was p-1,3,8-menthatriene, followed by beta-phellandrene and apiole. Callus cultures and cell suspensions prod uced aldehydes (nonanal and decanal) that were also detected in parsley pla nt. The former also produced limonene, acetophenone, and benzotiazol; these were not observed in the plants. The production of volatiles in plants, ca llus tissue, and cell suspensions was found to be time-dependent. Free and bound fatty acids were also monitored by an in situ method. Palmitic (C16:0 ) and stearic (C18:0) acids were the most abundant fatty acids in all mater ials; however, higher levels were found in plants. On the other hand, the u nsaturated C16:1 and C16:3 were not detected in the in vitro cultures.