Characteristic of essential oil in Zanthoxylum armatum DC. leaves and application in flavor oil

<i>Zanthoxylum armatum</i> DC. leaves, known for their numbing and fragrant flavor similar to the fruits, are frequently incinerated, causing environmental pollution and resource waste. In this study, the composition of <i>Z. armatum</i> leaf essential oil (ZLEO) was identified, and the value of ZLEO for use in flavor seasoning oils was explored. Furthermore, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), electronic nose and multivariate statistical analysis methods were used to analyze the aroma substances in <i>Z. armatum</i> flavor oils (ZFOs). The results showed that 67 compounds were identified in ZLEO, and 18 key aroma substances with odor activity values (> 1) were screened out in ZFOs. Six key aroma substances were screened out by partial least squares-discriminant analysis combined with the variable importance in projection values (> 1) from the ZFOs. Our results provide a scientific basis for the rational utilization of <i>Z. armatum</i> leaf resources, and offer novel ideas for the development of the <i>Z. armatum</i> oil (ZO) products.