Comparison of quantitative research methods for flower scent based on dynamic headspace collection

Floral scents play a critical role in mediating plant-pollinator interactions and hold significant commercial value in the perfume industry. To analyze these scents, researchers have developed various collection methods, with dynamic headspace collection-using continuous airflow to capture volatile compounds onto sorbent traps—being the most commonly used. However, the lack of standardized experimental protocols poses challenges in achieving consistent and reliable results. This study systematically evaluated the performance of three sorbent traps (charcoal, Tenax TA, and Propak Q), two elution solvents (hexane and dichloromethane), and three connection methods (push-pull, circulation, and closed-loop) through controlled indoor and outdoor experiments using a standard mixture of floral scent components and Abelia×grandiflora (André) Rehder. Results showed that Propak Q outperformed the other sorbent traps, while charcoal and Tenax TA exhibited relatively poor adsorption capabilities for benzenes and aliphatic compounds, respectively. The effects of the two elution solvents were similar. Among the three connection methods, the push-pull approach delivered the most consistent results, effectively preserving the natural freshness of floral scents. Based on these findings, the study recommends the use of Propak Q as the preferred sorbent trap and the push-pull method for floral scent experiments, particularly in cases where the composition of volatile compounds is unknown or when community-level analyses are required.