HYDROCARBONS FROM 3 VANILLA BEAN SPECIES - VANILLA-FRAGRANS, VANILLA-MADAGASCARIENSIS, AND VANILLA-TAHITENSIS

The hydrocarbon content, isolated by column chromatography over alumin a gel, in three Vanilla bean species (V. fragrans, V. madagascariensis , and V, tahitensis) ranges between 0.2 and 0.6%. The composition of t hese hydrocarbon fractions has been investigated. Using retention indi ces and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, 25 n-alkanes, 17 branche d alkanes, and 12 alkenes have been identified. The major constituents are odd-numbered hydrocarbons including n-nonacosane and n-hentriacon tane. The major even-numbered compounds are n-octacosane and n-triacon tane. Since V. fragrans from Reunion Island contains large amounts of n-alkanes and n-alkenes, and V. tahitensis is rich in branched alkanes , hydrocarbon profiles could be used for origin differentiation.