METHOD FOR THE RAPID HEADSPACE ANALYSIS OF MANGO (MANGIFERA-INDICA L)HOMOGENATE VOLATILE CONSTITUENTS AND FACTORS AFFECTING QUANTITATIVE RESULTS

A rapid GC method was developed to analyze the headspace composition o f cultivar Kent, Keitt, and Tommy Atkins mango homogenates. Factors af fecting quantitative results were also studied. Of the 13 volatile com pounds identified, 9 were terpene hydrocarbons: alpha-pinene, beta-pin ene, 3-carene, myrcene, limonene, p-cymene, terpinolene, alpha-copaene , and caryophyllene. Volatile concentrations were quantified using pea k height calibration curves (peak height vs concentration). Linear rel ationships were derived for all compounds except caryophyllene. Rate o f peak height increase was slower at caryophyllene levels <2 ppm than at those greater than or equal to 2 ppm. Volatile levels increased as homogenate was diluted with up to 56% water. Addition of CaCl2 during blending, to inhibit degradative enzymes, induced gelation, which resu lted in decreased volatile concentrations in the headspace. Sonicating gelled homogenate resulted :in partial liquefaction and an increase i n headspace volatiles. These results indicate that significant interac tions between mango pulp and volatile compounds occur and, depending o n sample preparation method, can affect quantitative results.