Characteristic Scent from the Tahitian Liverwort, Cyathodium foetidissimum

The volatile components of the Tahitian liverwort Cyathodium foetidissimum was analyzed using headspace solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) and GC-MS. Three volatile components, 4-methoxystyrene (24.4%), 3,4-dimethoxystyrene (28.7%), and skatole (15.9%) were identified as the major components from the fresh C. foetidissimum, along with several aliphatic aldehydes, n-octanal, n-nonanal, and n-decanal. However, (E)-2-nonenal recognized as aged malodor was not identified. In GC-O analysis, 2-aminoacetophenone was detected as one of the minor components with a strong aging note. In fact, C. foetidissimum showed the characteristic aging odor reminiscent the damp smell from old chest of drawers, or the civet like note with very strong feces and urine odor. The mixture consisted of 4-methoxystyrene, 3,4-dimethoxystyrene, and skatole in the detected ratio showed the sedative effect on CNV (contingent negative variation) measurement.