Volatile compounds from flowers of six species in the family Apiaceae: Bouquets for different pollinators?

Volatile compounds from flowers, buds and leaves of Aegopodium podagraria, Anthriscus sylvestris, Carum carvi, Heracleum sibiricum, Laserpitium latifolium and Pastinaca sativa were collected on PorapakQ and TenaxGC and identified by GC-MS. The enantiomeric compositions of the main chiral monoterpenes were determined by multidimensional gas chromatography. The characteristics of the floral fragrances were found to originate in differences in the proportions of the monoterpene hydrocarbons, among which α-pinene, β-pinene, cis-β-ocimene, trans-β-ocimene, limonene, sabinene and myrcene dominated. Heracleum sibiricum and P. sativa had very similar fragrances. Pure (+)-3-carene was found in H. sibiricum and C. carvi, and (-)-sabinene was the main compound in L. latifolium and A. sylvestris. Nitrogenous compounds, some aliphatic short-chain esters and linalool were found exclusively in the flower scents. The possible biological functions of the volatile compounds are discussed.