Abstract: This study evaluated the correlation of amino acids and amino acid-derived aroma compounds in Chinese Kushui rose petals with soils from different planting locations. The composition of amino acids and amino acid-derived aroma compounds in rose petals from three different production areas (Kushui, Hongcheng and Datong towns) in Yongdeng, Gansu were analyzed by an automatic amino acid analyzer and solid phase micro-extraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). The chemical composition and pH of soil samples from these areas were determined and the ion composition was measured by ion chromatography. The results showed that the petals of Chinese Kushui rose were rich in amino acids, with significant differences in the content of amino acids being among samples from different planting areas. Glutamate, alanine, lysine and proline were the major amino acids of all rose samples. The contents of glutamate, lysine and proline in rose samples from Datong were highest among the three production areas. A total of 11 amino acid-derived aroma substances were detected in the samples, with differences in their contents being observed among these samples. The content of amino acid-derived aroma substances was highest in rose from Datong. There was no significant similarity in physicochemical indexes among soils from the three production areas. SO42-, effective phosphorus and HCO3- were most affected by the region, and the soil properties were correlated with the contents of amino acids and amino acid-derived aroma components to different degrees.

Key words: Chinese Kushui rose; amino acids; amino acid-derived aroma compounds; soil; correlation