Comparative analysis of volatile compounds in Areca nuts using vacuum headspace solid-phase microextraction and supercritical fluid extraction

Abstract The purpose of this study was to contribute to the understanding of the composition of the understudied areca nut and to support the limited work on the composition of volatiles of areca nuts. For this purpose, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and vacuum headspace solid-phase microextraction (Vac-HSSPME) extraction methods were employed, followed by gas chromatography analysis. 56 compounds (Vac-HSSPME) and 18 (SFE) were identified in the extracts, respectively. The largest proportion of the extracts consisted of unsaturated fatty acids C10, C12, C14, and C16, whose presence and composition may be key to understanding some of the antiseptic properties of the areca nuts. The identification of other compounds suggests the potential of areca nut extracts in terms of their bioactive properties. Further research in the field of biological properties may provide valuable and interesting insights into the industrial use of areca nut.