The volatile compounds of some edible wild plants consumed in the Mediterranean region

In this study, 13 different edible weed species [Centaurea depressa Bieb., Cichorium intybus L., Lactuca serriola L., Malva neglecta Wallr., Papaver dubium L., Polygonum cognatum Meissn., Rumex patientia L., Scorzonera cana (C.A.Mey.Hoffm.), Silene alba (Mill.) Krause, Stellaria media L., Sonchus oleraceus L., Taraxacum officinale, Tragopogon longirostris Bisch] were collected from the same location in the Mediterranean region. Then, the leaves of all species were analyzed by the SPME-GC/MS method for the detection of volatile compounds. The compounds were grouped according to their structures as alcohols, aldehydes, alkanes, ester, furans, hydrocarbons, ketones, sulfur compounds, and terpenes. The percentages of the terpenes, aldehydes and alcoholic compounds were found to have the highest ratios of volatile compounds, respectively. The species found with the highest total terpene percentage was Sonchus oleraceus L. (78.84%), while the lowest one was Stellaria media L. (51.03%). Similarly, the highest total aldehydes percentage was found in Stellaria media L. (38.41%), and the lowest was in Centaurea depressa Bieb. (4.62%). Lastly, the highest total alcohol percentage was observed in Centaurea depressa Bieb. (9.92%) and the lowest was in Malva neglecta Wallr. (1.11%). The limonene, which is an important monoterpene, among 63 components, was found to be the major component in all species with a range of approximately 51-79%. Among them, Sonchus oleraceus L. had the highest limonene content (78.84%).