VARIATION IN THE COMPOSITION OF VOLATILE AROMA COMPOUNDS FROM THE FLOWERS OF Jasminum sambac IN RESPONSE TO THE ATTACK OF Hendecasis duplifascialis (Lepidoptera: Pyraustidae)

Essential oils are concentrated hydrophobic liquids containing volatile aroma compounds from plants which restrain the essence of the plant's fragrance. Jasminum sambac, one of the flowering plants of economical significance is prone to the attack of Hendecasis duplifascialis (Lepidoptera:Pyraustidae), a pest that target the flower buds and form bores. Once the flower buds are attacked by the larvae of H. duplifascialis, it is observed that either the fragrance which is supposed to evolve during the opening of petals is diminished significantly or the flower buds perish before blooming. In the former case it affects the composition of volatile aroma compounds from the flowers during its extraction. Since the tropical climate favours the growth of H. duplifascialis, they multiply in abundance in the areas of jasmine plantations and in due course degrade the crop yield. As the flowers of Jasminum sambac belong to the group of export commodities, the crop yield and the quality control of absolute and essential oils from these flowers are economically relevant. This research paper approaches the problem by comparing the composition of volatile aroma compounds from the normal and infected flowers of Jasminum sambac. There are significant differences in the composition of constituents such as benzyl alcohol, linalool, benzyl acetate, indole and (E,E)-α-farnesene in the extract from flower petals attacked by H. duplifascialis in comparison with that obtained from normal and healthy flowers. Plausible explanations for these observations based on the biochemistry of natural compounds are also given.