OBJECTIVETo determine the structures and contents of the volatile components of flowers of Fritillaria thunbergii, and investigate the effects of operation modes on its volatile components.

METHODThe volatile oils were first obtained by the hydrodistillation assay and then submitted to gas chromatography-time-of flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) analysis.

RESULTMore than 60 peaks were resolved, and 39 of which were identified quantitatively and qualitatively based on high-resolution spectra and compounds library screening. Among these identified components, the octadecatrienoic acid methyl esters were major components in the unprocessed flowers, while some aromatic aldehydes and ketones, such as benzeneacetaldehyde and 1-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-ethanone, were prominent components in the flowers both dried in the fluidized bed and in shadow. In addition, the flowers dried in the fluidized bed were more fragrant than other flowers.

CONCLUSIONThe component and contents closely related to their processing mode, and the fluided bed drying may be a best choice to process the flowers of F. thunbergii.