Comparison of Four Different Approaches for the Extraction of Elaeagnus angustifolia Flower Volatiles

Elaeagnus angustifolia has a great scent, attracts many insects and is the main host of Asias halodendri. To explore the chemical compounds in E. angustifolia, four different approaches for the extraction of E. angustifolia flower volatiles were performed and compared to determine the optimum method. The chemical compounds in raw extract were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 51 compounds were attained among the four approaches, including 14 esters, 13 ethers, 9 phenols, 3 ketones, 4 alcohols, and 8 others. Comparison of the four approaches showed that 13 compounds were found by headspace collection (HC), 19 compounds were found by steam distillation (SD), 18 compounds were found by solid phase micro extraction (SPME) and 22 compounds were found by air bag collection (ABC). Fifteen compounds were found by two or more approaches, including ethyl cinnamate, ethyl 3-phenyl propenoatea, methyl (E)-cinnamate, dimethyl 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate,n-decane, n-dodecane, n-tetradecane, n-hexadecane,n-eicosane,2-methoxyphenol,4,4'-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol),2-phenyl-1-propene,leaf acetate,isopropyl cinnamate and phenethyl alcohol. Ethyl cinnamate and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate were detected by all four measures. The ethyl cinnamate content for each material was the highest, measuring 83.75%(SD), 14.45%(SPME), 78.27%(HC), and 56.65%(ABC), respectively.