Abstract: The aroma components in flower bud samples of Magnolia officinalis wild and cultivated species whose bracts had just opened were studied by solid phase micro-extraction and GC/MS technology. The aroma components and their relative contents in different flower parts were compared and analyzed. The results showed that there were 39 components in M.officinalis wild species, 26 in pistils and stamens, 22 in petals. There were 75 components in M.officinalis cultivated species, 49 in pistils and stamens, 54 in petals. Terpenes were the major compounds in the flower bud of M.officinalis, camphene, (Z)-3, 7-dimethyl-1,3,6-octatriene, caryophyllene and 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol were identified in both wild and cultivated species and their relative contents were high. Both the aromatic compounds and their relative contents in M.officinalis wild and cultivated species were distinctly different, the aromatic compounds and their relative contents were also significantly different in pistils and stamens, petals of M.officinalis wild or cultivated species.

Key words: Magnolia officinalis wild species, cultivated species, flower parts, aroma components, GC/MS