Determination of Volatile Compounds in Blossoms of Rosa spinosissima, Rosa pendulina, Rosa gallica, and Their Cultivars

Abstract

The aim of our study was to determine how the content and composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) change with crossbreeding. We included three autochthonous Slovenian species of roses (R. pendulina, R. spinosissima, and R. gallica) and several cultivars derived from them in the research. The results were compared with the content of the reference plant R. damascena, which is known worldwide for its rich VOC profile and is used in the perfume industry. We found that the total VOC content ranged from 2.579 µg/g FW (‘Fruhlingsmorgen’) to 168.24 µg/g FW (‘Violacea’). According to the content of total VOCs, the variety ‘Charles de Mills’ (43.12 µg/g DM) was the most similar to the variety R. damascena (44.55 µg/g DM). We can conclude that the flowers of the roses we included in the study are a rich source of VOCs. VOC content in hybrids varies depending on the purpose and goals of breeders. We also found that flowering time had no effect on VOC content and composition. With this study, we not only carefully examined the VOC profile of roses but also clearly showed which compounds were present in individual taxa. In this way, it is possible to select a suitable variety or cultivar depending on the desired use, for example, for flavoring food or for a floral fragrance in the perfume industry.