Aroma compounds in the essential oil of carrots (Daucus carota L. ssp sativus). 2. Intra-leaf distribution

The compositions of essential oil in blades and petioles of two carrot cult ivars were studied. Harvest of leaves took place at the optimum harvesting time for carrot roots. Related to dry matter, total amounts of essential oi l in petioles were higher than in blades for both cultivars. Essential oil of blades contained E,E-2,4-heptadienal which was not found in essential oi l of petioles. In 'Cubic', essential oil of blades contained 2-pentylfuran and nerolidol, not detected in oils of petioles. Quantitatively, beta -myrc ene was the dominand component of essential oil in leaf parts for both cult ivars. In 'Nanco', sabinene was following. Essential oil of blades in 'Nanc o' contained high relative amounts of trans-ocimene, beta -caryophyllene, D -germacrene, limonene, cis-ocimene and alpha -pinene. Quantitatively, the m ost important compounds in essential oil of petioles following sabinene wer e limonene, terpinene-4-ol, alpha -bisabolol, trans-ocimene, gamma -terpine ne and beta -caryophyllene. In 'Cubic', essential oil of blades contained h igh relative amounts of D-germacrene, beta -caryophyllene, limonene and tra ns-ocimene. Quantitatively, the most important compounds in essential oil o f petioles following beta -myrcene were limonene, beta -caryophyllene, alph a -bisabolol and D-germacrene. Results are discussed and compared with lite rature.