• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.411-420
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• 2008

This study was performed to examine the effect of $\gamma$-irradiation on the volatile organic compounds in Houttuynia cordata Thunb.(H. cordata). 1be volatile compounds of non-irradiated and 10 kGy $\gamma$-irradiated H. cordata were isolated using SDE apparatus and analyzed by GC/MS. For each treatment the number of volatile compounds were detected at 83 and 85, respectively, 1be predominant functional groups of volatile organic compounds from H. cordata were identified as alcohols and ketones. H. cordata was mainly composed of hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (12.81 %), phytol, decanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, octadecanol, caryophyllene oxide, 2-undecanone and menthol. Houttuynum which is characteristic compound of H. cordata was found in all samples and there was no significant difference with irradiation doses. Consequently, $\gamma$-irradiation of H. cordata would be an effective process for sanitation and to increase extraction efficiency.