OBJECTIVETo compare and analyze volatile constituents from flowers of Trichosanthes kirilowii, in order to point out characteristic differences between female and male flowers.

METHODBlooming female and male flowers were collected in the same place. Volatile constituents were extracted from the flower by solid phase micro-extraction (SPME), then separated and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass-spectrometry (GC-MS).

RESULTFifty-two and forty-five chromatographic peaks were separated from the female and male flowers, respectively. Forty seven constituents were identified and their relative percentage compositions were determined with the peak area normalization method. Linalool, alpha-farnesene, benzene methanol, and (Z)-2-methylbutanal oxime were the main volatile constituents. The contents of linalool and alpha-farnesene in female flower were remarkably higher than those in male. In contrast, the content of benzene methanol in male flower was remarkably higher than that in female.

CONCLUSIONIn the first study on chemical constituents from flowers in genus Trichosanthes, 37 compounds are separated from T. kirilowii. Contents of linalool, alpha-farnesene and benzene methanol show the characteristic differences of volatile constituents contained in male and female flowers of T. kirilowii, which enriches the basic studies on dioecious plant.