Abstract: Headspace solid phase mciroextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GCMS) and principal component analysis were used to determine the volatile compounds of “Bashanhong” Toona sinensis at five different developmental stages. Forty-four volatile compounds were detected in fifteen samples. It was indicated that there were significant differences in the species and relative contents of volatile compounds in developing leaves of Toona sinensis. The primary volatile components in tender buds were terpenes, while those during the bud-leaf period and during the juvenile leaf period were sulphur-containing compounds. The relative contents of terpenes and sulphur-containing compounds in mature and old leaves were similar. As the bud-leaf period proceeded to the juvenile leaf period, the species and relative contents of volatile compounds changed quite quickly, which greatly affected the quality stability of fresh and processed tender buds. The volatile compounds which had greater contributions to the aroma characteristics of “Bashanhong” T. sinensis were alcohol, ester, aldehyde and terpene. This research reveals the volatile profile of “Bashanhong” T. sinensis leaves as well as the composition of characteristic aroma compounds at different developmental stages, which could provide useful information for utilization and processing of mature and old leaves of “Bashanhong” T. sinensis.

Key words: “Bashanhong&rdquo, Toona sinensis, volatile compounds, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), principal components analysis (PCA)