Fragrance components of Platanthera bifolia subsp. osca and Platanthera chlorantha collected in several sites in Italy

Abstract

Platanthera bifolia subsp. osca sample collected at Grisolia showed as main components linalool (17.8%), benzyl benzoate (55.8%), and benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (6.7%). Four samples of P. bifolia subsp. osca were collected at Pignola: the main components of the aroma are lilac derivatives (49.02–79.00%), mainly lilac alcohols B (7.41–13.52%), C (10.10–18.45%), and D (7.50–34.28%). Three samples were analyzed from the site of Marsico Nuovo. The main components of the scent found in this site were linalool (1.54–10.00%), lilac aldehydes (3.98–11.15%), and mainly lilac alcohols (50.68–61.51%). The main components of the sample collected at Palena were methyl benzoate (9.04%) and benzyl benzoate (74.72%). The analysis of the composition of the aroma of a Platanthera chlorantha plant has been performed. The main components were lilac derivatives. The reported behavior could be explained admitting an adaptive modification of the scent considering the nature of possible pollinating agents due to different habitats.