ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the difference between the volatile components of Lepidium salivum and its seeds. Methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLME) was performed for sample pretreatment, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with retention index were used to determine the kinds and relative content of volatile components in the whole grass and seeds of L. salivum. Results: The results obtained were as follows: a total of 90 and 92 peaks were detected in whole plant and in seeds, respectively. Among them, 84 and 71 kinds of volatile components were successfully identified. However, there were differences in the types and relative content of the volatile components between the whole plant and the seeds. The main components in the whole plant were neophytadiene (15.39%), benzyl isothiocyanate (14.03%), 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (9.01%), 1,2-epoxyoctadecane (6.24%), benzaldehyde (5.60%), lignoceric alcohol (3.43%), stearyl aldehyde (2.37%) and benzyl nitrile (2.12%). While the major components in seed were benzyl nitrile (49.6%), benzyl isothiocyanate (10.51%), 2-(3,4-dimethylphenoxy) acetic acid (9.73%), benzoic acid, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl ester (4.66%), benzaldehyde (3.63%), benzeneacetamide (3.18%), furfural (1.73%), and benzeneacetic acid (1.26%). As much as 24 kinds of volatile components were identified in both the whole plant and seed, such as benzyl nitrile, benzyl isothiocyanate, benzaldehyde, furfural and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol. Conclusion: This experiment provides essential data for further research on the role of volatile ingredients in pharmacologic action.