Volatile Compounds from the Flowers of Spathiphyllum cannaefolium

Aug 20, 2026

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Headspace analysis and solvent extraction were used to characterize volatile compounds emitted by the pollen-bearing flower spike of Spathiphyllum cannaefolium. GC-MS identified major constituents including benzyl acetate, methyleugenol, methylchavicol, p-methoxybenzyl acetate, and fatty acids. Benzyl acetate was linked to attractancy of several fruit-fly species, while methyleugenol matched male-lure preferences for specific pests. The resulting odor profile suggests broad attraction and potential utility for fruit-fly control in small orchards where these species dominate.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

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Introduction

Results and Discussion

# VOLATILE COMPOUNDS FROM THE FLOWERS OF SPATHIPHYLLUMCANNAEFOLIUM JUDITH A.LEWIS,CHRISTOPHER J.MOORE,*MARY T.FLETCHER,*RICHARD A.DREW*and WILLIAM KITCHINGt Chemistry Department,University of Queensland,St.Lucia,Queensland,Australia 4067;*Department of Primary Industries,Brisbane Queensland,Australia (Received 3 November 1987) Key Word IndexSpathiphyllum cannaefolium;Araceae;fruit-fly lily;flower volatiles;aromatic ethers;acelales, GC-MS. Abstract—-Headspace analysis and solvent extraction of the pollenbearing flower spike of Spathiphyllum cannaefoliumhave been conducted by GC-MS,to determine the basis of the flower spike's attractancy to certain fruit-fly species.Themajor components were benzyl acetate,methyleugenol,methylchavicol,p-methoxybenzyl acetate and fatty acidsBenzyl acetate is known to be attractive to D.cueurbitae,D.dorsalis and C.capitata(representing the three different‘male-lure categories')and methyleugenol(one of these male-lures)attracts D.cacuminatus.D.dorsalis and D.occipitalis.Thus the odoriferous flowerspike exhibits wide ranging attractancy and hence Spathiphyllum cannaefoliummay have some application as a fruit-fly control measure for small orchards where ‘methyleugenol-attracted'species(e.g.D.cacuminatus,D.dorsalis,D.occipitalis)are the dominant pests. ## INTRODUCTION Certain plant species have been reported to exhibitsignificant attractancy towards fruit-flies,and among thevolatile compounds contained by the plants are,meth-yleugenol(1),Cue Lure(2)or closely related compounds.[(3)is Trimedlure,synthetic lure for Medfly—C.capitata(Wicdmann)]. The oriental fruit fly(Dacus dorsalis Hendel)has beenreported[1]to be strongly attracted to the drying leavesand twigs of Palea anisata Mann(Rutaceae)and also tothe flower of the ‘golden flower'plant,Cassia fistula L.[2].Methyleugenol(1)was identified as a significant if notdominant,volatile component in both cases.Leaves ofthe basil plant,Ocimum basilicum were also attractive to D.dorsalis,and the volatile compounds(1),methylchavi-col (4)and 1,8-cineole(5)were identified from the leaves[3].The Australian plant Zieria smithii is attractive to D.cacuminatus (but not D.tryoni)and the leaf-oil is rich inmethyleugenol[4].The orchid Dendrobium superbum isattractive [5,6]to the male melon fly,D.cucurbitae butno cvidcncc for thc prcsence of either (1)or(2)was found[despite an odour similar to that of (2)],and the majorvolatile components were ethyl acetate and 2-tridecan-one. Our interest in the lily Spathiphyllum cannaefolium wasaroused by a newspaper report [in the 'Cairns Sun'(North Queensland)7 October 1984;p.4]that up to 450fies could be attracted in one day to one 'fruit-fly plant'.In Northern Thailand,the lily is grown extensivelyaround orchard perimeters,and attracts fruit flies andthus reduce infestation of fruiting trees [Wilson,I.,Avon-dale Nursery,Smithfield(Cairns),North Queensland, personal communication].The lily has a sweet heavyodour and is strongly attractive to fies,painting thelower spikes with Dipterex or other insecticide results inthe killing of large numbers of flies.Drew observed[Drew,R.L.,personal communication]that the pre-dominant species attracted(in North Queensland)to thelily was D.musae(Tryon)(banana fly),the males of whichare strngly attracted by the synthetic lure,methyleugenol[7].The origin of the plant is unclear,but it probably wasa native of South China,and is found from South-EastAsia to Central and South America [Wilson,I.,personalcommunication]. ## RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The young lily flower has little odour,but after theformation of pollen in the white flower spike,the charac-teristic 'sweetish’odour is easily detectable,especially inthe early morning.As the flower ages,pollen is lost alongwith the odour,and the colour changes from white togreen.The volatiles of the lily were studied by headspaceanalysis(with air-flow and passive'conditions)and bysolvent extraction,the details of which ar

FAQs

What methods were used to study the flower volatiles of Spathiphyllum cannaefolium?

The pollen-bearing flower spike volatiles were analyzed by headspace sampling (air-flow and passive conditions) and by solvent extraction. GC-MS was used for identification.

Which compounds were identified as major volatile components?

Major components included benzyl acetate, methyleugenol, methylchavicol, p-methoxybenzyl acetate, and fatty acids. Their identities were confirmed by retention-time and mass-spectrum comparisons with authentic samples.

How do the identified volatiles relate to fruit-fly attraction?

Benzyl acetate is known to attract multiple fruit-fly species, and methyleugenol corresponds to specific male-lure attraction categories for other species. Together, the odoriferous flower spike shows broad attractancy across different fruit-fly pests.

Aug 20, 2026

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