Characterization and Variability Analysis of Volatile Metabolites From Acer saccharum Leaves From Québec Region

Abstract Volatile secondary metabolites in plants can serve as valuable biomarkers for the plant’s health, stress response, and pest or disease detection. We have investigated the volatilome of Acer saccharum (sugar maple) leaves using two complementary extraction techniques: headspace‐solid phase micro‐extraction coupled with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS) and hydrodistillation followed by gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometry detection. HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS revealed variability in green leaf volatiles and terpenoids associated with tree diameter and maturity level, with (E)‐hex‐2‐enal and (Z)‐hex‐3‐enyl